Syphilis Testing

Question 1

Causative agent of syphilis?

Answer 1

Treponema pallidum

Question 2

Mode of transmission of syphilis?

Answer 2

Sex, Blood, and Placenta

Question 3

The first diagnostic test for syphilis?

Answer 3

Wasserman Test

Question 4

Treatment of syphilis back then used?

Answer 4

Heavy metals, like arsenic.

Question 5

Treatment of syphilis nowadays use?

Answer 5

Penicillin

Question 6

Stage of syphilis that form hard chancre?

Answer 6

Primary Syphilis

Question 7

Stage of syphilis that form condylomata lata– wart
like lesions in moist areas of the body?

Answer 7

Secondary Syphilis

Question 8

Stage of syphilis that has the absence of clinical symptoms?

Answer 8

Latent Syphilis

Question 9

Stage of syphilis with gummas and neurosyphilis?

Answer 9

Tertirary Syphilis

Question 10

This is also called the screening test done for syphilis?

Answer 10

Non-treponemal Tests

Question 11

These are the two kinds of tests done to test for syphilis?

Answer 11

Non-treponemal and Treponemal Tests

Question 12

This test is used to detect the presence of reagin?

Answer 12

Non-treponemal Test

Question 13

This is an antibody formed against cardiolipin?

Answer 13

Reagin

Question 14

This is a lipid material from damaged cells, usually caused by syphilis?

Answer 14

Cardiolipin

Question 15

Principle of traditional non-treponemal test?

Answer 15

Flocculation Reactions

Question 16

These are the types of non-treponemal serological tests?

Answer 16

Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL)
Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR)
Toluidine Red Unheated Serum Test (TRUST)
Unheated Serum Reagin (USR)
Reagin Screen Test (RST)

Question 17

This is the most common non-treponemal test?

Answer 17

Rapid Plasma Reagin

Question 18

What must be done to the serum before a VDRL test?

Answer 18

VDRL uses 56 degree heat for 30 minutes to inactivate serum

Question 19

Why does a CSF not require heating for VDRL test?

Answer 19

No complement in the CSF

Question 20

What is the reagent used to inactivate serum in RPR?

Answer 20

Choline Chloride

Question 21

This is used to make the test easier to read in RPR test?

Answer 21

Charcoal

Question 22

This type of test is also called the confirmatory test for syphilis?

Answer 22

Treponemal Test

Question 23

This test detects the antibody directed towards T. pallidum?

Answer 23

Trepoemal Tests

Question 24

Treponemal test is usually the one that becomes (?) before non-treponemal tests?

Answer 24

Positive

Question 25

Once an individual becomes reactive, the individual remains so for life, why is this the case?

Answer 25

Presence of IgG

Question 26

Cross reacctivity happen in what other treponemal diseases?

Answer 26

Yaws and Pinta

Question 27

This test is developed in detecting specific anti-treponemal antibodies?

Answer 27

Treponema pallidum Immobilization Test (TPI)

Question 28

These are the two kinds of treponemal tests?

Answer 28

Treponema pallidum Immobilization Test (TPI) Fluoresence Treponemal Antibody Absorbance Test (FTA-ABS)

Question 29

What is the reagent and specimen used in the treponema pallidum immobilization test?

Answer 29

Patient serum Rabbit chancre Complement

Question 30

How to report TPI tests?

Answer 30

50% positive 20% negative 20-50% doubtful

Question 31

Does FTA-ABS need serum inactivation via heat?

Answer 31

Yes

Question 32

This is a sorbent used in FTA-ABS consisting of non-pathogenic treponemes?

Answer 32

Reiter Strain

Question 33

What is the principle behind the Reiter strain?

Answer 33

Removes corss reactivity with other treponemes other than T. pallidum

Question 34

This is a slide where T. pallidum is fixed, used for the FTA-ABS test?

Answer 34

Nichols Strain

Question 35

Why can CSF be used in FTA-ABS?

Answer 35

Due to Tertiary Syphilis or Neurosyphilis

Question 36

How does FTA-ABS report its findings?

Answer 36

0 Negative 1+ Minimally Reactive (Repeat 1-2 wks) 2-4+ Positive

Question 37

RPR - Reactive FTA - Reactive

Answer 37

Positive for Syphilis

Question 38

RPR - Reactive FTA - Nonreactive

Answer 38

Negative for Syphilis

Question 39

RPR - Nonreactive FTA- Reactive

Answer 39

Late, Latent or Previous Syphilis

Question 40

VDRL - Reactive FTA - Reactive

Answer 40

Neurosyphilis

Question 41

What are the reason for a false positive result in syphilis testing?

Answer 41

Leprosy Lupus Erythematosus Infectious mononucleosis Malaria Vaccine Viral Pneumonia Pregnancy (rare) Narcotic addiction

Question 42

What are the reason for a false negative result in syphilis testing?

Answer 42

Technical Errors Prozone Effect Postzone Effect

Question 43

What is a test that is a macroscopic non-treponema flocculation test that is used to detect and quantify reagin?

Answer 43

RPR Slide Test

Question 44

These are the reagents used for RPR slide test?

Answer 44

RPR Antigen RPR High Positive Control RPR Low Positive Control RPR Negative Control

Question 45

What are the specimens used for the RPR slide test?

Answer 45

Serum (Heated or Unheated) EDTA Plasma (No Hemolysis) Unlipemic Samples

Question 46

How long are serum samples for RPR test stable?

Answer 46

5 days at 2-8 degrees C

Question 47

How long are plasma samples for RPR test stable?

Answer 47

24 hours at 2-8 degrees C

Question 48

What interpretattion of the RPR slide test is indicated by large or small floccules in the center or the periphery of the test circle,

Answer 48

Reactive

Question 49

What interpretattion of the RPR slide test is with slight floccules present?

Answer 49

Minimally Reactive

Question 50

What interpretattion of the RPR slide test is indicated by a smooth, even appearance with no floccules visible.

Answer 50

Non-reactive