How reliable is (fta-abs) 11 years after Syphilis infection?

by Sat Man on July 18, 2010

is there possibility of false negative even if tested twice?

I have a compelling symptomatic history but can’t get a diagnosis.

Tagged as: diagnosis

{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }

Susan S July 18, 2010 at 4:24 am: You would be expected to test positive on fta-abs for life. I don’t see how you could test negative twice!

"A positive darkfield examination is the only means of making an absolute diagnosis of syphilis… Most patients have nonreactive nontreponemal tests within several years after successful treatment for syphilis, but a significant number have persistently positive tests, the so-called serofast reaction." OK-there you have it! you can test negative after 11 years. If you want absolute corroboration, then the darkfield microscopy test mentioned above would be called for. Otherwise, treat empirically with a penicillin shot or oral tetracycline or doxycyclinefor 2 weeks. Good luck!