Syphilis Test With Confirmation

About this test

This test screens for syphilis — a bacterial sexually transmitted infection caused by Treponema pallidum — and automatically runs a confirmatory test when the initial screen is positive. This two-step process (screen + reflex confirmation) is the recommended standard of care, because syphilis screening tests can occasionally produce false positive results.

Syphilis is called the great imitator because it can mimic many other conditions through its different stages. Early detection is important: primary and secondary syphilis are easily treated with a single penicillin injection, but late-stage syphilis can cause serious damage to the heart, brain, and nervous system.

Components

• Syphilis Screen (initial): Usually a treponemal antibody test (such as TP-PA or FTA-ABS) or a non-treponemal test (such as RPR or VDRL). Detects antibodies your immune system has made against the syphilis bacterium.
• Confirmation Test (reflex): If the screen is positive, a second confirmatory test using a different antibody method is automatically run on the same sample to rule out a false positive. The combination of a positive screen with a confirmed positive result indicates active or past syphilis infection. Results and treatment planning should be discussed promptly with a clinician.

Who is this test for?

Syphilis testing is recommended for all pregnant women, sexually active adults with new or multiple partners, men who have sex with men, and anyone with symptoms such as a painless sore (chancre) or a rash on the palms or soles. The CDC recommends at least annual syphilis screening for people at increased risk. Early detection is important because syphilis responds well to antibiotics but can cause serious long-term complications if untreated.