Abstract
We have already shown that the hemagglutination test (TPHA) using the antigen from a pathogenic treponema strain was useful for the serodiagnoss of syphilis. However, the test was positive with a few non-syphilitic sera, especially with the specimens from pregnant women. Experiments were, therefore, directed to eliminate such non-specific positive reaction. Attempts were also made to improve the FTA test. The results obtained are as follows:
1) Most of the non-specific reaction could be excluded when the serum specimens were pretreated with Reiter TP antigen and rabbit testes powder.
2) The new method was compared with that of FTA-200 (or the FTA-ABS), the RPCF test or the STS on 230 syphilitic and 319 non-syphilitic sera. The results obtained by the TPHA agreed very well with those by the FTA-ABS. Most of the “biological false positive reaction” by cardiolipin antigen was easily excluded by the TPHA test. The method is very simple and the antigen can be supplied as a stable lyophilized product.
3) Non-specific positive reactions of the FTA could be eliminated by various methods, but the FTAABS described by Deacon et al. was most effective
