Treponema Pallidum Haemagglutination (TPHA) for Syphilis

A reactive FTA-ABS test confirms the presence of treponemal antibodies but does not indicate the stage or presence of active infection. The FTA-ABS does not distinguish between syphilis and other treponemal infections. Once the FTA-ABS becomes positive, it remains so for long periods, regardless of therapy. False positive reactions have been associated with diseases with increased or abnormal globulins, patients with lupus erythematosus, positive Anti-Nuclear Antibodies (ANA) and during pregnancy.