TPPA
Treponemal Antibodies, TPPA
EPIC Test Procedure Code: LAB1898
Performing Lab:
Referral Laboratory
Container Type:
Serum gel tube
Specimen Type:
Serum
Preferred Volume:
1 mL
Minimum Volume:
0.5 mL (Note: This volume does not allow for repeat testing.)
Store and Transport:
Room Temperature
Stability:
- Room Temperature - 14 days
- Refrigerated - 14 days
- Frozen - 14 days (Freeze/thaw cycles: stable x3)
Unacceptable Condition:
Gross hemolysis; lipemia or visible microbial contamination; heat inactivated samples; specimens other than serum
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.
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.
CPT Codes:
86780
Method:
Agglutination
Clinical Significance:
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.