| Synonym(s): |
Treponema pallidum particle agglutination, Treponemal antibody, Syphilis antibody, TP-PA, TPPA |
| Requisition Form |
G-2A |
| Test Description |
Qualitative gelatin particle agglutination assay for the detection of antibodies to Treponema pallidum in human serum. |
| Pre-Approval Needed |
N/A |
| Supplemental Information Required |
N/A |
| Supplemental Form(s) |
N/A |
| Performed on Specimens from (sources) |
Human |
| Sample/Specimen Type for Testing |
Serum |
| Minimum Volume/Size Required |
100 µL |
| Storage/Preservation Prior to Shipping |
- Store at 2° to 8°C for 5 days.
- For long term storage, store frozen at -20°C or colder.
|
| Transport Medium |
N/A |
| 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.
|
| 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.
|
| Method |
Particle agglutination assay |
| Turn-around Time |
4 working days. |
| 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.
|
| 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.
|
| 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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