FTA –CSF:
Why FTA – CSF Test?
CLINICAL INFORMATION
Syphilis is a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) and hence VDRL (Veneral Disease Research Laboratory) testing is necessary. The bacteria Treponema pallidum causes syphilis. This infection is a highly contagious disease and usually spreads by sexual contact. Initially, it manifests as (primary syphilis) a painless sore (also referred to as ‘Chancre’ manifests as a rash in the trunk region but spreads throughout the body including the palms and soles) in the skin or mucous membranes typically in the mouth, genitals and rectum. It may be self-limiting in many cases and usually remain inactive for decades. When it becomes active (re-activation: secondary syphilis – manifestations are non-itchy wart-like sores in the mouth or around the genital area, muscle ache, fever, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes etc) and in the latent stages (tertiary stages – manifests dissemination with a widespread capacity) it manifests with more virulence and impacts many organ/organ system(s) like a heart (swelling of aorta, damage in heart valves etc), eyes, liver, bone, joints, nerves and brain (neurosyphilis – can manifest with seizures) etc and therefore can become life-threatening as well. Manifestations of chronic syphilis include saddle nose (nose-bridge collapse) with nasal septal disfigurement, deafness, teeth deformities etc and its symptoms include headache, stroke, meningitis, dementia, loss of pain and temperature sensations, bladder incontinence, sexual dysfunction in men etc. Syphilis can also be transmitted by vertical transmission from pregnant women to unborn children (congenital syphilis). Subsequently, after the initial screening for Treponema pallidum is performed, the positive cases are further confirmed by the FTA-ABS, RPR (Rapid Plasma Reagin) test for the presence of true infection. This FTA test is 100% approved due to its 100% sensitivity in CSF specimens. False-positive results are associated with other treponemes – eg T pretence, increased or abnormal globulins, antinuclear antibodies, pregnancy, HSV infections, elevated acute phase reactants, cold agglutinins, Mycoplasma antibodies, age older than 65 etc. Moreover borderline results are inconclusive results and thus cannot be interpreted. Additional/Other tests include serological tests – Non-treponemal tests, treponemal tests, rapid serological tests, Direct Methods for diagnosis, Rapid Immuno-Chromatographic tests, Testing for Neurosyphilis etc. CSF is cerebrospinal fluid is a body fluid that flows in the space around the spinal cord and brain. Test for CSF analysis for syphilis is performed to help diagnose if the disease has affected the brain (CNS) causing Neuro-Syphilis. The main objective of performing this CSF test is to check for the presence of this Treponema pallidum in the given suspected sample specimen(CSF). Hence this test helps to detect the presence of any neurological manifestations that can lead to a life-threatening complication.
General Instructions:
Sample Requirement: Specimen -CSF Fluid
Test Preparation: None.
NOTE - Sample for specimen collections may vary based on the patient’s condition/cases according to the patient’s presenting complaints/signs or symptoms:
SPECIMEN REQUIREMENT (Special or Rare Cases) - As instructed and guided by Physician / Clinician / Pathologist / as per Laboratory’s requirements, according to procedures and protocols.
This Multi-Specialty Clinical Referral Laboratory RT DIAGNOSTICS provides precise and accurate tests with an extensive range of testing services to the medical centres to help in the diagnosis and identification of pathology in the test specimens for infectious diseases and also to evaluate the function of organ systems of the patient. It prevents further complications and helps to stabilize and restore health to near normalcy at the earliest without delay.
