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What Does This Titer Result While Having Negative Test Results For Syphilis Indicate?
I had a test done and it said I was false positive. Went to health department and ran another test but it said negative and my titer was 1:1. I was treated for syphilis in 1992. Been donating plasma since 2006 at the same center but now this shows up. Haven t been sexually active since December 2015. My question is am I negative for syphilis being that my titer is 1:1?
Thu, 27 Jun 2019
Hello,
A rapid plasma reagin (RPR) test is a blood test used to screen you for syphilis. It works by detecting the nonspecific antibodies that your body produces while fighting the infection. Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the spirochete bacterium Treponema pallidum. It can be fatal if left untreated.
Combined with specific antibody testing, the RPR test allows your doctor to confirm the diagnosis of active infection and start your treatment. This reduces the chances of complications and the spread of the disease by an infected but unaware person.
The RPR test also can produce false positive results, suggesting you have syphilis when you actually don't. One reason for a false positive is the presence of another disease that produces antibodies similar to the ones produced during syphilis infection. Due to the risk of false-positive results, your doctor will confirm the presence of syphilis with a second test, one that is specific for antibodies against the bacterium that causes syphilis, before starting your treatment. One such test is called the fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FTA-ABS) test.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Heang Chan Raksmey, General & Family Physician
A rapid plasma reagin (RPR) test is a blood test used to screen you for syphilis. It works by detecting the nonspecific antibodies that your body produces while fighting the infection. Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the spirochete bacterium Treponema pallidum. It can be fatal if left untreated.
Combined with specific antibody testing, the RPR test allows your doctor to confirm the diagnosis of active infection and start your treatment. This reduces the chances of complications and the spread of the disease by an infected but unaware person.
The RPR test also can produce false positive results, suggesting you have syphilis when you actually don't. One reason for a false positive is the presence of another disease that produces antibodies similar to the ones produced during syphilis infection. Due to the risk of false-positive results, your doctor will confirm the presence of syphilis with a second test, one that is specific for antibodies against the bacterium that causes syphilis, before starting your treatment. One such test is called the fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FTA-ABS) test.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Heang Chan Raksmey, General & Family Physician
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