FTA-ABS

Description of the Test:

Fluorescent Treponemal Antibody Absorbtion Test (FTA-ABS) useful in the diagnosis of syphilis infection.

Clinical significance:

Syphilis (Latin: syphilis) - an infectious disease transmitted mostly by sexual transmission, caused by Treponema pallidum of the family Spirochaetaceae. The incubation period of the disease ranges from 9 days to 3 months. Syphilis is a perennial disease, periodically symptomatic or asymptomatic. During the period of primary infection, ulceration may appear at the site of penetration of the microorganism; in wtral syphilis there is a rash on the skiner, mucous­skinral lesions and enlargement of lymph nodes.

In the tertiary stage of syphilis, there are heart and eye symptoms, and hearing disorders. Infection in the latent – asymptomatic stage is detected by serological testing. Direct diagnosis is based on the detection of the bacteria in biological material, indirect diagnosis is based on serological tests detecting antibodies to the antigens of the pale spirochete. Classical tests so-called flocculent tests: the Wasserman test, VDRL (Veneral Disease Research Laboratory) test, and USR (Unheated Serum Reagin.

These tests detect IgG and IgM anti-lipid antibodies. The sensitivity of these testss varies, depending on the period of the disease. Antibodies detected by these tests can also appear in the course of other diseasesb such as infections with other spirochetes, autoimmune diseases like rheumatic diseases or collagenoses. The greater sensitivity and specificity are characterized by the ileal tests for example Fluorescent Treponemal Antibody (FTA), Fluorescent Treponemal Antibody Absorbtion Test (FTA-ABS), Western blot tests.

Diagnosis of syphilis infection is critical in detecting the disease and preventing its progression.