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Do The Following Lab Test Reports Indicate Syphilis?

Posted on Thu, 1 Jun 2017

Question: Hello I have a positive diagnoses of syphilis. I took the RPR which came back negative then I took the TP-PA which also came back negative. Is this a positive or negative diagnoses of syphilis??

Answered by Dr. Dr. Monika Dede (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Negative diagnoses of syphilis!

Detailed Answer:
Hello! I have been through your question.

Based on your lab data ( RPR-negative and TP-PA negative) I think that you shouldn't worry because you don't have syphilis in this moment.

I hope my answer helps you.
Feel free to ask me further.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Monika Dede (2 hours later)

Thanks so much. So why did the Syphilis Ig/IgM w/ Reflex which was the original test come back positive??

Then the RPR and the TP-PA were taken which came back negative..

Answered by Dr. Dr. Monika Dede (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Please see the detailed answer below.

Detailed Answer:
Hello! Thank you writing back in healthcaremagic.

You should know that since treponemal tests may remain active for life in adequately treated patients, a positive syphilis IGG/ IGM indicates exposure
to syphilis and it does not indicate untreated syphilis.
Furthermore a positive syphilis IGG/ IGM with a negative RPR and TPPA is most likely a false positive T PALLIDUM IGG/ IGM result. If your clinical data suggest for a risk for syphilis then syphilis IGG/ IGM should be repeated in 3-4 weeks.

I hope my answer helps you.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Monika Dede (16 minutes later)

Thanks very much for your responses.
I have another question. In the past all of my syphilis exams have been negative. This is the first exam to be a false positive. Can this be due to me having arthritis?? My doctor thinks I should get treatment anyway to be safe. Please tell me your opinion. I have mad up my mom no to get retested.

I have made up my mind to get retested.

Thanks for your help.

tt
Can a false positive be due to arthritis??

Answered by Dr. Dr. Monika Dede (19 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please see the detailed answer below.

Detailed Answer:
Hello! Thank you writing back in healthcaremagic.
I am sorry for my late response.

Yes it is known that exist false-positive tests for syphilis in many conditions other than syphilis, such as viral infections or autoimmune diseases( like you have).

In your case I suggest to get retested and I think there is no need for treatment.
But this is my opinion and you should meet an ID specialist to do as well a physical examination to exclude some symptoms of syphilis.

I hope my answer helps you.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana