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Non-Treponemal Test For Syphilis - Rapid Plasma Reagin

The document discusses syphilis, caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum, detailing its pathophysiology and progression through various phases. It outlines the gold standard confirmatory test, the FTA-ABS, and explains the principles of both non-treponemal tests (VDRL and RPR) and treponemal tests (FTA-ABS, TP-PA, EIA) for syphilis diagnosis. Non-treponemal tests detect reagin antibodies, while treponemal tests specifically identify antibodies against T. pallidum antigens.

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Aimee G. Montes
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1 views2 pages

Non-Treponemal Test For Syphilis - Rapid Plasma Reagin

The document discusses syphilis, caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum, detailing its pathophysiology and progression through various phases. It outlines the gold standard confirmatory test, the FTA-ABS, and explains the principles of both non-treponemal tests (VDRL and RPR) and treponemal tests (FTA-ABS, TP-PA, EIA) for syphilis diagnosis. Non-treponemal tests detect reagin antibodies, while treponemal tests specifically identify antibodies against T. pallidum antigens.

Uploaded by

Aimee G. Montes
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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IMMUNOLOGY & SEROLOGY LABORATORY

2nd Semester | A. Y. 2024 - 2025

Aimee G. Montes April 18, 2025


3CMT-1L

Post – Laboratory Questions: Non-Treponemal Test for Syphilis: Rapid Plasma


Reagin

1. What is the causative agent of Syphilis? Discuss the pathophysiology of syphilis.


 The bacteria Treponema pallidum, a motile spirochete, is the cause of
syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection. The bacteria spreads via the
circulation and lymphatics after entering through mucous membranes or
skin abrasions. Primary (chancre formation), secondary (systemic
symptoms including rash and lymphadenopathy), latent (asymptomatic),
and tertiary (severe sequelae include cardiovascular and neurological
damage) are the different phases of the infection's progression.

2. What is the gold standard in confirmatory testing of syphilis? Discuss the


principle.
 The Fluorescent Treponemal Antibody Absorption (FTA-ABS) test is the
gold standard for confirmatory testing. Its basic idea is to find T-specific
antibodies. using indirect immunofluorescence on pallidum. Before
being treated with T, patient serum is first absorbed using non-pathogenic
treponemes to eliminate cross-reacting antibodies. pallidum antigen.
When an anti-human antibody tagged with fluorescein is applied, a
positive result is indicated by fluorescence under a microscope.

3. What is reagin? Why does it considered as non- treponemal tests?


 Reagin is a compound that resembles an antibody and is created in
reaction to lipid material released by T and injured host cells. pallidum.
assays that identify reagin, known as nontreponemal assays, are regarded
as indirect and nonspecific because they are not specific to the bacteria
itself.

4. What are the nontreponemal test for syphilis? Discuss the principle of each tests.
 Common nontreponemal tests include the Venereal Disease Research
Laboratory (VDRL) test and the Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR) test. Both
detect reagin antibodies using cardiolipin-lecithin-cholesterol antigens. In
IMMUNOLOGY & SEROLOGY LABORATORY
2nd Semester | A. Y. 2024 - 2025

VDRL, antigen-antibody reactions form flocculates visible under a


microscope. In RPR, the same reaction is visualized macroscopically due
to carbon particles added to the antigen, which enhance visibility.

5. What are the treponemal test for syphilis? Discuss the principle of each tests.
 Treponemal tests detect antibodies that specifically target T. pallidum
antigens. Examples include FTA-ABS, Treponema pallidum particle
agglutination assay (TP-PA), and enzyme immunoassays (EIA). TP-PA
uses gelatin particles coated with T. pallidum antigens; patient antibodies,
if present, cause visible agglutination. EIA detects specific anti-T.
pallidum antibodies through an enzyme-labeled antibody producing a
color change upon binding. These tests are more specific and usually
remain positive for life, indicating past or present infection.

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