CPT/HCPCS
86780
Order Code
CH291
Turnaround Time
72 hours
Test Includes
Treponema pallidum Ab
Specimen Requirements
Specimen Source
Serum
Transport Container
(Specimen Container)
(Specimen Container)
Serum Separator Tube (SST)
Preferred Specimens
1 mL serum
Minimum Volume (uL)
0.2 mL
Collection Instructions
(Transport Temperature)
(Transport Temperature)
Transport at Room Temperature
Specimen Stability
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room temperature | 7 days |
| Refrigerated | 14 days |
| Frozen | 30 days |
Reject Criteria
Gross hemolysis
Grossly lipemic
Test Details
Methodology
Immunofluorescent Assay (IFA)
Clinical Significance
The FTA-ABS is a specific treponemal assay to detect antibody to T. pallidum. The FTA-ABS becomes reactive 4-6 weeks after infection. Unlike the nontreponemal tests, once the FTA-ABS test becomes reactive, it will remain reactive for many years. Since the reactivity found with the FTA-ABS does not indicate response to therapy, it is not suitable for monitoring treatment. The FTA-ABS test does not distinguish between syphilis and other treponematoses such as yaws, pinta and bejil.
Reference Ranges
Non-Reactive
