Sign in →

Test Code SYPHGM Syphilis IgG IgM w/ Reflex [LAB5650]

Important Note

If a patient has a history of past syphilis infections, this test is not appropriate for order. Please order RPR, Response to Therapy [LAB5256].

Performing Laboratory

UnityPoint Finley Hospital

Test Method

Chemiluminescent immunoassay (sandwich principle); Roche cobas Pro

Specimen Requirements

  1. Serum (Red/Gold) is the specimen of choice. Gel tubes are acceptable.
  2. EDTA (Purple) and Lithium heparin plasma (Green) are also acceptable specimen types. 
  3. It is recommended that the serum be separated from contact with cells within 2 hours from time of collection.
  4. Syphilis Antibody specimens are stable for 7 days at 20-25°C, 14 days at 2-8°C, and 12 months at -20°C.

Performance

Specimens are typically completed the same day once received at the laboratory.

STAT requests are typically completed within 2 hour once received by the laboratory. 

Reference Values

Nonreactive

Reactive results will reflex to RPR testing. 

 

Useful For

Diagnosis of syphilis. 

A positive treponemal antibody test result indicates prior exposure to syphilis. Non-treponemal assays are useful for monitoring the progression of disease and response to therapy. Both tests are necessary as an aid of the diagnosis.

Treponemal tests detect antibodies directed against T. pallidum proteins. A positive treponemal antibody test result indicates prior exposure to syphilis. Non‑treponemal assays are useful for monitoring the progression of disease and response to therapy. Both tests are necessary as an aid of the diagnosis.

Limitations

  1. Samples should not be taken from patients receiving therapy with high biotin doses (i.e. > 5 mg/day) until at least 8 hours following the last biotin administration.
  2. A negative test result does not completely rule out the possibility of an infection with Treponema pallidum. Serum or plasma samples from the very early (pre seroconversion) phase or the late phase of a syphilis infection can occasionally yield negative findings.
     

CPT

86780