PRP and TPHA Syphilis tests

What is Syphilis?

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that causes serious health problems if it is not diagnosed and treated promptly. Syphilis is most commonly transmitted through sexual contact including vaginal, anal and oral sex between two people. Syphilis can also be transmitted from mother to child. Syphilis is caused by a spirochete bacteria called Treponema pallidum.

Stages of a Syphilis infection

A syphilis infection will progress through various distinct stages:

• Primary Syphilis

Primary Syphilis is characterised by the appearance of a painless sore or Chancre at the site of infection. This is usually on the penis, the vulva, anus or mouth.

• Secondary Syphilis

Secondary Syphilis will often cause a rash on the body, including the torso, palms of the hands, and soles of the feet. This rash will typically resolve over the course of some weeks. Other symptoms can include swollen lymph nodes, hear loss, and fever.

• Latent Syphilis

During the Latent phase of a Syphilis infection, external symptoms will disappear, and the infected individual may feel well. This phase can last for years with the patient unawares they are carrying the syphilis bacteria.

• Tertiary Syphilis

The Tertiary phase of a syphilis infection is when sever damage is caused to the internal organs. This can include the heart, eyes, nervous system, blood vessels and the brain. If the infection remains untreated, it can cause mental disturbances involving thought processes, hallucinations, loss of memory and ultimately can lead to death.

How do you diagnose a Syphilis infection?

There are many different tests used to diagnose a Syphilis infection. These tests include:

• Treponema pallidum (Syphilis) Enzyme Immunoassay IgG/IgM screening test
• Treponema pallidum particle agglutination assay (TP-PA)
• Fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FTA-ABS) test
• Micro-hemagglutination assay for antibodies to T. pallidum (MHA-TP)
• T. pallidum hemagglutination assay (TPHA)
• Molecular (PCR) testing
• Rapid plasma reagin (RPR) test.
• Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test
• Chemiluminescence immunoassays (CLIA)

What Syphilis test is right for me

If you have never been diagnosed with syphilis in the past, the first test to have, is the IgG/IgM screening test. This test will accurately detect antibodies against the syphilis bacteria that your immune system makes to help it try to fight off this infection.

If this screening test is positive, the lab will need to determine what stage of syphilis you have. This will usually include having the RPR and TPPA tests run on your blood sample. The lab will sometimes do these tests automatically, or you may be asked to provide a new blood sample.

The RPR test, also called the Rapid Plasma Reagin test will measure antibodies against other antigens which cells in your body produce in response to a syphilis infection. This is done because levels of these antibodies will rise and fall, whereas antibodies against the syphilis bacteria will remain constant, even after you have been treated and cured.

The RPR test is also used to monitor your response to treatment, as the relevant antibodies will fall as treatment takes effect. This rise or fall in antibodies is sometimes referred to the “Titre” which is a measure of the concentration of antibodies in your sample. Falling levels of antibodies means that treatment is working, whereas rising levels mean the infection is getting worse.

The lab may also perform the TPPA test (Treponema Pallidum Particle Agglutination) test. This test will help to determine if your infection is in its secondary or tertiary phase.

The VDRL (Venereal Disease Research Laboratory) test can be run on either blood or Cerebro-spinal fluid. This test also looks for the antibodies that your immune system will produce in response to a syphilis infection. The VDRL test can be used to screen for syphilis and it can also be used to diagnose neurosyphilis in patients with a history of syphilis infection.

The TPHA (Treponema pallidum Hemagglutination Assay) test will detect if there are any antibodies against the syphilis bacteria. If this test is positive it means that the person has been infected with syphilis at some point in the past. This test is highly accurate, but it does not give any indication of the current stage of infection or disease.

Why should I get tested for Syphilis?

Syphilis is a common Sexually Transmitted Infection that is regularly diagnosed in both men and women. This infection can be easily cured with a short course of antibiotics when it is diagnosed early. There are many simple blood tests that will diagnose a syphilis infection. These tests require only a small blood sample and will return results quickly, in only a matter of a few days. Syphilis is highly contagious, meaning it is easy to catch.

The consequences of an undiagnosed syphilis infection are severe. Open sores, rashes, organ damage, debilitating harm to the central nervous system, heart damage and even death can arise from an undiagnosed and untreated syphilis infection. If you are sexually active with different partners you should test regularly for syphilis.

How do I schedule my appointment?

To arrange your appointment, click the ”Book Your Appointment” button at the top of the page. Choose a suitable clinic, date, and time for you.

What can I expect at my appointment?

At your appointment, your clinician will collect a small blood sample. They will send it to our laboratory for fast and accurate analysis.

How will I receive my test results?

Your test results will be uploaded to your secure online Patient Area as soon as they become available. You can check whenever you like. We will send you an email or SMS when your results are ready.

What if I test positive?

If you have positive result for Syphilis, we will ask you about your previous infections. You can get Syphilis more than once, so it needs to be diagnosed carefully. Your Better2Know doctor will be able to help you to get the treatment you need with any Syphilis infection.