Treponema Pallidum Antibodies

Treponema Pallidum Antibodies ELISA Blood Test is used to detect the presence of antibodies IgM, IgG and IgA to Treponema Pallidum in the blood. The presence of these antibodies is checked to diagnose an infection called syphilis.

What is Syphilis?

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by bacterial infection. This infection spreads through oral, vaginal or anal contact with an infected person. It can also spread through direct contact with a syphilis sore. The bacteria which causes syphilis is Treponema pallidum. The stages of syphilis include Primary syphilis, secondary syphilis, and tertiary syphilis.

• Primary syphilis: It is the early stage of syphilis which starts around 2-3 weeks after the infection. In this stage, painless sores appear at the site of exposure to the infection like vagina, penis, mouth, anus or rectum. These sores are usually called chancres. These chancres can spread easily and can be cured with medicines or they can be self-healed within 3-6 weeks.
• Secondary syphilis: If primary syphilis is not healed and left untreated then secondary syphilis may develop. It may occur within 6 weeks to 6 months after the chancre formation. In this stage, the symptoms include fever, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, tiredness, rashes without itch is found on the hands and feet which is reddish brown in color.
• Tertiary syphilis: If secondary syphilis is also left untreated it converts to latent stage i.e tertiary syphilis. In this stage the symptoms are absent but the infection persists. This stage may last for years. This stage if left untreated may damage your organs and lead to numbness, dementia (loss of memory), problems with your eyes, unable to control muscle movements and may even lead to death.

Antibodies are produced when any foreign substance or virus or bacteria enters into the body. Treponema Pallidum Antibodies are formed in the body in response to Treponema pallidum bacteria that causes syphilis. There are three types of Treponema Pallidum Antibodies IgM, IgG, and IgA. Presence of these antibodies in the body indicates the presence of a sexually transmitted disease called Syphilis.

Why this test is performed?

This test is performed to detect the presence of antibodies IgM, IgG and IgA to Treponema Pallidum. This test helps to screen and diagnose a sexually transmitted disease called syphilis infection. Your doctor may ask to perform this test if you experience symptoms of a syphilis infection such as sore (chancre) at the genital regions or on the throat, itchless reddish-brown rash on palms, the bottom of the feet, fever, swollen lymph glands, body pains, sore throat, etc.

If an individual is on the treatment for syphilis then the doctor may ask to perform this test to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment and to know the Treponema Pallidum Antibodies IgM, IgG and IgA levels in the blood. Mostly, this test is done along with other Treponema Pallidum antibody tests to confirm the diagnosis.

How often this test is performed?

If you are diagnosed with syphilis then you may have to perform this test on a regular basis or as instructed by the doctor. If you are previously diagnosed with any of the sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) then you have to perform this test frequently (3-6 months).

Precautions:

If you get positive test results then inform your partner about it and ask he/ she to undergo the test.

No specific preparation is required for this test.