Ribonucleic Acid Antigen from the Reiter Treponeme Used in an ELISA for Antibodies in Syphilis

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Abstract
Purified RNA from Treponema phagedenis biotype Reiter was used as antigen in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for IgG antibodies in syphilis. The RNA ELISA was compared with the fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption test (FTA-ABS), the Treponema pallidum immobilization test (TPI) and with 2 ELISA using purified flagellum from the Reiter treponeme as antigen (flagellum ELISA), and sonified Reiter treponeme culture as antigen (sonicate ELISA). A total of 729 sera from patients with and without syphilis were studied. The RNA ELISA had a lower sensitivity (P < 0.01) in primary syphilis than the flagellum ELISA, the sonicate ELISA and the FTA-ABS. In treated syphilis the RNA ELISA was also less sensitive than the TPI (P < 0.01).