Test Details
Methodology
Agglutination
Result Turnaround Time
1 - 2 days
Turnaround time is defined as the usual number of days from the date of pickup of a specimen for testing to when the result is released to the ordering provider. In some cases, additional time should be allowed for additional confirmatory or additional reflex tests. Testing schedules may vary.
Use
This test detects antibodies to Treponema pallidum and can be used in conjunction with a nontreponemal assay to aid in the diagnosis of syphilis infection. This test is not recommended as a stand-alone test for general screening purposes for syphilis, nor should it be used to evaluate response to therapy. To screen for and diagnose syphilis infection, a reflex cascade that includes both RPR and a treponemal-specific assay should be utilized per current guidelines.
Limitations
As with all serological tests for syphilis, interpretation of results obtained with TPPA test must be used in conjunction with the patient's clinical symptoms, medical history and other clinical and/or laboratory findings. Treponemal antibodies typically remain detectable long term following infection and therefore should not be used to evaluate response to therapy.
The syphilis TPPA may be reactive in <1% of normal or healthy persons; these biological false-positive results are often transient and their cause is unknown.
Treponemal antibody tests may be reactive in persons exposed to yaws or pinta.
Samples from patients with HIV, leprosy, toxoplasmosis, H. pylori or drug addiction may on occasion produce false-positive or inconclusive results.
Specimen Requirements
Specimen
Serum
Volume
1 mL
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL (Note: This volume does not allow for repeat testing.)
Container
Gel-barrier tube or serum transfer tube
Collection Instructions
Usual blood collection technique
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room temperature | 14 days |
| Refrigerated | 14 days |
| Frozen | 14 days |
| Freeze/thaw cycles | Stable x3 |
Storage Instructions
Room temperature
Causes for Rejection
Gross hemolysis; lipemia or visible microbial contamination; heat inactivated samples; specimens other than serum
LOINC® Map
| Order Code | Order Code Name | Order Loinc | Result Code | Result Code Name | UofM | Result LOINC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 082339 | Treponemal Antibodies, TPPA | 24312-1 | 082339 | Treponemal Antibodies, TPPA | 24312-1 | |
| Order Code | 082339 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Treponemal Antibodies, TPPA | |||||
| Order Loinc | 24312-1 | |||||
| Result Code | 082339 | |||||
| Result Code Name | Treponemal Antibodies, TPPA | |||||
| UofM | ||||||
| Result LOINC | 24312-1 |