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Treponema Pallidum Hemagglutination

Also known as TPHA

₹549~~₹600~~ 8% Off

You need to provide

Blood

This test is for

Male, Female

Test Preparation

No special preparation is required.

Understanding Treponema Pallidum Hemagglutination

What is Treponema Pallidum Hemagglutination?

The Treponema Pallidum Hemagglutination Assay (TPHA) is used to detect the amount of antibodies against Treponema pallidum responsible for causing Syphilis, a type of sexually transmitted disease (STD). This test helps confirm a syphilis infection, screen blood donors, and also helps monitor response to ongoing treatment in already diagnosed cases of syphilis.

Syphilis is caused by the bacteria called Treponema pallidum. It is highly contagious and spreads through contact with a syphilis sore, also called a chancre, usually during sexual activities. Syphilis can also be transmitted by transfusion of infected blood, or from the mother to the baby during pregnancy or childbirth.

Syphilis is characterized by four stages namely Primary, Secondary, latent, and Tertiary. The infection causes different symptoms in each stage. It is always challenging to diagnose Syphilis because the initial presentation is with a painless sore called chancre. After the infection, syphilis bacteria may remain inactive for years and become active again. If not treated timely, syphilis can stay in the body for prolonged periods and cause significant harm to the internal organs. Getting a Treponema Pallidum Hemagglutination test aids in early diagnosis which helps prevent damage to major organs of the body.

Doctors may advise a Treponema Pallidum Hemagglutination or TPHA test when you have symptoms suggestive of syphilis. These symptoms may include small and painless sores near the site of infection, skin rash, fever, swollen lymph glands, hair loss, headaches, muscle ache, tiredness, etc. Treponema Pallidum Hemagglutination test is a more sensitive test that can detect syphilis even in the early stages of the infection.

A positive Treponema Pallidum Hemagglutination test means that antibodies to the bacterium that causes syphilis are present in your blood. However, it doesn't differentiate between a current or past infection. A negative test result suggests that you do not have syphilis unless you have been recently infected and your body has not produced antibodies yet.

No special preparation is needed for a Treponema Pallidum Hemagglutination test. Talk to your doctor about your specific test results. Narrate your complete medical history to help the doctor correlate your clinical and laboratory findings. The results will help them evaluate your medical condition and formulate an individualized treatment plan because the treatment may vary depending on the stage of syphilis infection.

What is Treponema Pallidum Hemagglutination used for?

A Treponema Pallidum Hemagglutination test is done:

To confirm syphilis infection in individuals suspected to be suffering from syphilis.
In people having symptoms such as body rashes, fever, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, patchy hair loss, muscle aches, etc.
To diagnose people who are at risk of acquiring syphilis such as having another STD or HIV infection, homosexual men having a sexual partner diagnosed with syphilis, or those indulged in high-risk sexual activity.
To screen pregnant women for syphilis.
To monitor the ongoing treatment response for syphilis.

What does Treponema Pallidum Hemagglutination measure?

A Treponema Pallidum Hemagglutination test analyzes the presence of antibodies in the blood that are specifically directed against Treponema pallidum, the bacteria that causes syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease (STD). The presence of Treponema pallidum antibodies indicates that the individual has been exposed to the bacterium, either recently or in the past. Detecting these antibodies can help your doctors know if you have syphilis. Untreated syphilis can spread to your eyes, blood vessels, heart, and brain. A Treponema Pallidum Hemagglutination test can help in early diagnosis and ensure prompt treatment to prevent complications from syphilis.

Interpreting Treponema Pallidum Hemagglutination results

Interpretations

A negative test result means that antibodies against Treponema Pallidum are absent indicating that the patient is not having syphilis infection

A positive test result means that antibodies against Treponema Pallidum are present indicating that the patient is having syphilis infection

However, false positive and false negative test results can also be seen in some cases. All test results should be clinically correlated.

All positive tests should be confirmed with Fluorescent Treponemal Antibodies (FTA-ABS) test.

Answers to Patient Concerns & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Treponema Pallidum Hemagglutination

Frequently Asked Questions about Treponema Pallidum Hemagglutination

Q. When is a Treponema Pallidum Hemagglutination test done?

A Treponema Pallidum Hemagglutination test is done when you experience signs and symptoms suggestive of syphilis like body rashes, mild fever, hair loss, sore throat, weight loss, swollen glands, muscle pains, headaches, genital lesions, etc.

Q. Does the Treponema Pallidum Hemagglutination test pose any risks?

A Treponema Pallidum Hemagglutination test is a normal blood test with no risks. However, since this test involves a needle prick to withdraw the blood sample, in very rare cases, a patient may experience increased bleeding, hematoma formation (blood collection under the skin), bruising, or infection at the site of the needle prick. Most of these symptoms go away in a day or two.

Q. What causes false-positive Treponema Pallidum Hemagglutination test results?

False-positive Treponema Pallidum Hemagglutination test results can occur in certain acute and chronic infections, and autoimmune diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria, viral pneumonia, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV, and Lyme disease, during pregnancy, and after vaccination.

Q. Can I take the Treponema Pallidum Hemagglutination test while pregnant?

Yes, the Treponema Pallidum Hemagglutination test is safe to take during pregnancy. In fact, routine screening for syphilis during pregnancy is recommended to prevent disease transmission to the unborn baby.

Q. What other tests might be ordered along with a Treponema Pallidum Hemagglutination test?

Other tests that may be ordered with a Treponema Pallidum Hemagglutination test include the Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR) test, VDRL, and the Fluorescent Treponemal Antibody-Absorption (FTA-ABS) test.

Q. Is there any cure available for syphilis?

Yes, syphilis is curable with the right antibiotics. However, treatment cannot reverse the damage that might have been caused by the infection. If syphilis is treated too late, it can permanently damage your heart and brain even after the infection has resolved.

Q. When is syphilis contagious?

Syphilis is most contagious during the first two stages and the early latent stage. It can spread through sexual routes, therefore, it is known as a sexually transmitted disease (STD). It can enter the body through the genitals, mouth, or broken skin. A pregnant woman infected with syphilis can pass it on to her baby.

Q. How can syphilis be prevented?

The best and the most certain method of prevention of syphilis infection is to avoid sexual contact or only to maintain sexual contact with one faithful partner who is not infected.