Ordering Recommendation

Not an optimal confirmation test. Treponema pallidum Antibody by TP-PA (0050777) is preferred.

New York DOH Approval Status

This test is New York state approved.

Specimen Required

Patient Preparation
Collect

Serum separator tube.

Specimen Preparation

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

Storage/Transport Temperature

Refrigerated.

Unacceptable Conditions

CSF, plasma, or other body fluids. Contaminated, hemolyzed, or severely lipemic specimens.

Remarks
Stability

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

Methodology

Semi-Quantitative Indirect Fluorescent Antibody (IFA)

Performed

Sun-Sat

Reported

1-3 days

Reference Interval

Test Number
Components
Reference Interval
  T.Pallidum Ab, IgG (FTA-ABS) Nonreactive

Interpretive Data



Compliance Category

FDA

Note

The Fluorescent Treponema Antibody (FTA) is recommended for follow-up of reactive nontreponemal tests for syphilis, and as a single test in patients suspected of late syphilis. The FTA may be used to resolve discrepancies between laboratory results and clinical impressions. FTA tests for syphilis may be falsely positive in some cases of systemic lupus erythematosus, pregnancy, and leprosy.

Can be used to provide additional evidence of neurosyphilis when VDRL-CSF test results are reactive.

Hotline History

N/A

CPT Codes

86780

Components

Component Test Code* Component Chart Name LOINC
0050477 T.Pallidum Ab, IgG (FTA-ABS) 17726-1
* 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

  • Fluorescent Treponemal Antibody Absorption Test
  • Fluorescent Treponemal Antibody, Serum, IgG
  • FTA, Serum
  • FTA-ABS
  • Syphilis Ab FTA-ABS
  • T pallidum Ab FTA-ABS
  • Treponema Antibody, Serum
  • Treponema pallidum Antibody FTA-ABS, Serum
Treponema pallidum Antibody, IgG by IFA (FTA-ABS), Serum