| Synonym(s): | Treponema pallidum particle agglutination, Treponemal antibody, Syphilis antibody, TP-PA, TPPA |
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| Requisition Form | G-2A |
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| Test Description | Qualitative gelatin particle agglutination assay for the detection of antibodies to Treponema pallidum in human serum. |
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| Pre-Approval Needed | N/A |
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| Supplemental Information Required | N/A |
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| Supplemental Form(s) | N/A |
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| Performed on Specimens from (sources) | Human |
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| Sample/Specimen Type for Testing | Serum |
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| Minimum Volume/Size Required | 100 µL |
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| Storage/Preservation Prior to Shipping | - Store at 2° to 8°C for 5 days.
- For long term storage, store frozen at -20°C or below.
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| Transport Medium | N/A |
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| Specimen Labeling | - Two patient-specific identifiers required on specimen (e.g., patient full name, date of birth, medical record number).
- Three patient identifiers are preferred.
- Patient identifiers on specimen label must exactly match identifiers on submission form (e.g., abbreviated name on label and full name on form is not acceptable).
- Additional DSHS Laboratory specimen labeling guidelines available online here.
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| Shipping and Specimen Handling Requirements | - Ship according to Dangerous Goods Regulations, IATA, and/or CFR 49.
- Category B Biological Substance, UN3373 shipping requirements apply.
- Handle as infectious agent using universal precautions.
- Triple contain in accordance with federal shipping regulations for infectious agents.
- Submitters are responsible for packaging and shipping specimens according to regulatory requirements.
- If specimens will arrive at the Lab within 5 days of collection, refrigerate at 2°C –8°C and ship overnight on cold packs.
- If specimens will arrive at the Lab more than 5 days after date of collection, freeze at -20°C or below, and ship overnight on dry ice.
- Additional DSHS Laboratory specimen shipping guidelines online here.
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| Method | Particle agglutination assay |
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| Turn-around Time | 4 working days |
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| Interferences/Limitations | - TP-PA may be reactive in persons from areas where yaws or pinta was, or is, endemic.
- Serum may be frozen and thawed only once prior to testing.
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| Common Causes for Rejection | - insufficient specimen quantity
- unacceptable specimen type or source
- improper shipping conditions
- expired media or collection container
- expired reagents/media/collection container
- discrepancies between G-2A submission form and specimen label
- missing/incomplete/illegible submission form or label
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| Additional Information | - A reactive TP-PA test indicates past or present infection and usually remains reactive for life.
- Specimens with inconclusive TP-PA results should be retested. Collect a second specimen in two weeks for TP-PA testing to confirm results.
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