What you need to know about the TPHA test (Treponema Pallidum Hemagglutination Assay) to diagnose syphilis

The article was consulted with Specialist Doctor I Tran Van Sang - Dermatologist - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Da Nang International General Hospital.

Syphilis is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. TPHA test is a specialized, specific laboratory method for disease identification. Learning about this test will help us have the right knowledge in making a diagnosis of syphilis.

Syphilis is one of the sexually transmitted infections. The causative agent is the spirochete Treponema pallidum.
Syphilis has 2 disease states:
1 - Syphilis has clinical manifestations.
2 - Syphilis without clinical manifestations, also known as latent syphilis, (closed syphilis)
The clinical picture of syphilis is very diverse, rich depending on each stage of the disease, prominent erythema, papules, lumps, and skin and mucosal lesions on the external genitalia, with peripheral lymphadenopathy. And there may be no clinical symptoms at all, called latent syphilis, latent syphilis, only when blood tests can detect the disease.
To diagnose syphilis, in addition to looking directly for spirochetes in the patient's specimens, are secretions from chancres, mucosal plaques, papules, lymph nodes, black background microscopy, immunofluorescence, and indirect search through blood tests. The TPHA test (Treponema Pallidum Hemagglutination Assay) is a commonly used technique to find a specific reaction to confirm the presence of syphilis spirochetes in patient specimens through blood tests.

The purpose of the TPHA test is to detect the presence of anti-syphilis spirochetes in the plasma of a patient with syphilis. Along with the clinical manifestations, laboratory results contribute to the diagnosis of the disease.

When there is the presence of bacteria entering the body, the immune barrier in the blood will activate the encirclement and destroy the agent; and react with the production of antibodies. The corresponding antibody will agglutinate, neutralize the antigen, and limit the spread. Based on this principle, the TPHA test kit is designed with ready-made cells (red blood cells) that have been attached with syphilis spirochete antigen, when exposed to serum (plasma) of syphilis patients will occur. agglutination reaction.

This test should be performed in a microbiology laboratory and by a trained and certified laboratory technician in Microbiology. The person who evaluates and approves the results must be the dean or vice-dean of the laboratory and requires a university degree or higher.
The equipment and chemicals required are the manufacturer's specialized TPHA test kit (Atlas TPHA test kit) and commonly used laboratory equipment such as shakers, centrifuges, straws micropipette, ..., blood collection tools such as cotton swabs, alcohol, syringes, tourniquets as well as necessary protective equipment such as gloves, masks, disinfectant solution.
TPHA reactivity testing includes qualitative and quantitative testing. The TPHA qualitative test is fast, helping to identify infection (positive) or not (negative), while the quantitative test requires many more stages to know a positive reaction to the concentration. tall or short.

Currently, Vinmec Health System is implementing a package of screening for social diseases to help customers detect syphilis in particular and social diseases in general.
Customers will be examined and examined by a team of medical doctors who are leading Dermatologists, highly qualified, dedicated and wholeheartedly tested for HIV, gonorrhea, and TPHA syphilis. and quantify, test for bacteria, fungi, etc. to detect the disease early to have an effective treatment plan and avoid complications. The system of modern laboratories, luxurious medical examination and treatment space, and maximum sterilization help ensure complete safety and privacy for customers as well as the most accurate diagnosis results.