Ordering Recommendation

CDC-recommended confirmatory test for syphilis. Order if initial screening (eg, RPR, VDRL) is reactive.

New York DOH Approval Status

This test is New York state approved.

Specimen Required

Patient Preparation
Collect

Serum separator tube or plasma separator tube.

Specimen Preparation

Separate serum or plasma from cells ASAP or within 2 hours of collection. Transfer 1 mL serum or plasma to an ARUP standard transport tube. (Min: 0.4 mL)

Storage/Transport Temperature

Refrigerated.

Unacceptable Conditions

CSF or other body fluids.

Remarks
Stability

After separation from cells: Ambient: 48 hours; Refrigerated: 2 weeks; Frozen: 1 year (avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles)

Methodology

Qualitative Particle Agglutination

Performed

Mon-Fri

Reported

1-4 days

Reference Interval

Nonreactive

Interpretive Data



Compliance Category

FDA

Note

TP-PA is a helpful diagnostic aid for the patient with a reactive reagin test, but presents with atypical signs of primary, secondary, or late syphilis. TP-PA compares favorably with the FTA test, but appears slightly less sensitive in cases of untreated early primary syphilis. In late syphilis, the agreement with FTA is 99%.

VDRL is the preferred test for cerebrospinal fluid. Treponemal tests (TP-PA or FTA) are not recommended for CSF.  FTAs on CSF may be tested, but TP-PA cannot be tested on CSF.

Hotline History

N/A

CPT Codes

86780

Components

Component Test Code* Component Chart Name LOINC
0050777 Treponema pallidum Ab by TP-PA 24312-1
* Component test codes cannot be used to order tests. The information provided here is not sufficient for interface builds; for a complete test mix, please click the sidebar link to access the Interface Map.

Aliases

  • MHA-TP
  • Syphilis Antibody by MHA
  • Syphilis TPPA
  • T pallidum TPPA
  • T. pallidum Antibody by MHA
  • TP-PA
  • Treponema Pallidum AB, Particle Agglutination
  • Treponema pallidum Particle Agglutination Assay
Treponema pallidum Antibody by TP-PA