One of the direct treponemal tests used to diagnose syphilis infection is a T. pallidum haemagglutination assay or TPHA. This test uses red blood cells coated with antigens of T. pallidum which when bound by TP specific antibodies in the blood of an infected individual cause agglutination of the blood cells. As treponemal antibodies persist following infection, TPHA is useful in diagnosing secondary, tertiary, and late syphilis.
Treponema Pallidum Haemagglutination (TPHA)
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Treponema Pallidum Haemagglutination (TPHA)
Cases of suspected syphilis infection are commonly investigated using both treponemal and non-treponemal serological tests.
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Clinical Details
Following primary infection, the diagnosis of syphilis predominantly depends serologic tests, when the sensitivity of these assays is highest. Laboratory confirmation of infection includes detection of antibodies using EIA and TPHA and detection of cardiolipin non-treponemal antibodies. All serological assay screening results should be combined with clinical presentation to make an overall diagnosis.
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At Enfer Medical, we have integrated a cutting-edge and fully automated WASPLab® (Walk Away Specimen Processor) that has significantly enhanced our testing capabilities to ensure the highest of quality when processing patient samples.
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Sample Type &
Volume Required
5mL venous serum or plasma OR 0.8mL capillary serum.
Enfer Medical
Tests/Assays
Syphilis TPHA assay is used to detect antibodies to T. pallidum using a manual process to measure agglutination of red blood cells coated with TP specific antigens.
Patient
Request Form
For clients using the Enfer Medical Client Portal, the Enfer Medical Patient Request Form (PRF) will be generated when you have completed your “Test Request” within the portal linked below.
Please note that samples suspected of containing high risk pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis should be clearly identified on the form and packed separately from other samples.
24 hours
Results are available next working day.
7 days a week
This assay is available seven days a week.
Packaging
The packaging/preparation of samples for delivery to the laboratory are required to be in adherence to all national regulations for the safe transport of biological materials. HSE guidance can be reviewed HERE.
There are specific packaging instructions and labelling requirements requiring triple packaging including:
- Primary leak-proof container – tube or vial containing the sample.
- Secondary watertight container, with absorbent material, intended to protect the primary container.
- Outer container protects the secondary container.
- Patient Request forms must be placed between the secondary container and the outer shipping container.
Further information on the packaging/preparation of samples for delivery to the laboratory is contained within the Enfer Medical Laboratory User Manual which clients are provided with.
Storage & Stability
Specimens must be tested with 7 days of collection.
Transporting
Samples
Samples
In addition to the packaging of samples, the transport/delivery of clinical samples to the laboratory is required to be in adherence to all national regulations for the safe transport of biological materials. Enfer Medical provides a fully compliant logistics service, aligned with clients’ testing requirements.
Prompt transport of specimens:
To ensure prompt testing of samples and release of results within the published test turnaround times, samples should arrive to the laboratory by 18:00. Test turnaround time is measured from receipt of the sample at the laboratory until the time the authorised results are reported to users.
Acceptance/Rejection
of Samples
of Samples
In rare cases specimens may not be suitable for testing on arrival to the laboratory. In that case the sample will be rejected at the receipt stage and the service user will be notified immediately and an explanation as to why the sample could not be processed will be provided. Reasons why samples cannot be processed include but are not limited to:
- Samples received beyond the stability limits and/or not at the correct temperature indicated for each test.
- Incorrect sample type received.
- Leaking samples, sample not received or sample insufficient for analysis as stated below within sample requirements.
- Non-compliant samples or request forms i.e. those missing sample date information, missing sample test request and/or missing sample site/type information.
- Samples received without the necessary patient identifiers.
Clients will be provided with guidance on Sample Receipt Anomalies.
Our Services
Service
Health & Wellness
General health and wellness testing can include a variety of tests, depending on the needs of the individual or recommendations of
Find Out More
Service
Sexual Health
Regular STI screening facilitates early treatment and reduces the long-term consequences of infection.
Find Out More
Service
Respiratory Health
Rapid early pathogen identification has important treatment and infection control implications. See our range of tests here.
Find Out More
Service
Reproductive & Female Health
Hormonal analysis is hugely beneficial to identifying problems that can arise during the reproductive years.
Find Out More
Result Values:
Qualitative results Treponema Pallidum Haemagglutination (TPHA) will be reported as:
Qualitative results
- DETECTED
- NOT DETECTED
- INVALID
Critical results are communicated in accordance with the Communication of critical results for patients in the community- national laboratory handbook CSP041/2019
Accessing
Your Results
Laboratory results will be reported between within 24-48 hours from the time of receipt at the laboratory and will be reported to the referring clinician in an agreed format.
Established clients can login to the portal using the link above.