Problems with beaded fluorescence pattern in FTA-ABS test. 1976

F D Pien, and H Markowitz, and C H McKenna, and A L Schroeter

The significance of false-positive FTA-ABS fluorescence in connective tissue diseases and other clinical conditions was evaluated by studying the serum from several groups of patients. In 12% of 67 patients without syphilis, serum with an antinuclear antibody (ANA) titer of 1:32 or greater gave low intensity FTA-ABS test fluorescence. In 20% of 150, patients (2.7% with a history of syphilis), serum with rheumatoid factor (RF) titers of 1:640 or greater demonstrated some reactivity. Only 1.3% of 75 donors of normal blood showed low-grade FTA-ABS fluorescence. In 385 patients with diagnostic problems, 2.1% of the serum demonstrated the beaded pattern. Patterns varied, depending on the treponemal antigen preparation and the duration of serum storage. Also, multiple specimens from the same patient produced different patterns. Furthermore, the beaded pattern could be demonstrated in patients with a history of syphilis, with other medical disorders, and in apparently normal persons.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008180 Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic A chronic, relapsing, inflammatory, and often febrile multisystemic disorder of connective tissue, characterized principally by involvement of the skin, joints, kidneys, and serosal membranes. It is of unknown etiology, but is thought to represent a failure of the regulatory mechanisms of the autoimmune system. The disease is marked by a wide range of system dysfunctions, an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and the formation of LE cells in the blood or bone marrow. Libman-Sacks Disease,Lupus Erythematosus Disseminatus,Systemic Lupus Erythematosus,Disease, Libman-Sacks,Libman Sacks Disease
D005189 False Positive Reactions Positive test results in subjects who do not possess the attribute for which the test is conducted. The labeling of healthy persons as diseased when screening in the detection of disease. (Last, A Dictionary of Epidemiology, 2d ed) False Positive Reaction,Positive Reaction, False,Positive Reactions, False,Reaction, False Positive,Reactions, False Positive
D005455 Fluorescent Antibody Technique Test for tissue antigen using either a direct method, by conjugation of antibody with fluorescent dye (FLUORESCENT ANTIBODY TECHNIQUE, DIRECT) or an indirect method, by formation of antigen-antibody complex which is then labeled with fluorescein-conjugated anti-immunoglobulin antibody (FLUORESCENT ANTIBODY TECHNIQUE, INDIRECT). The tissue is then examined by fluorescence microscopy. Antinuclear Antibody Test, Fluorescent,Coon's Technique,Fluorescent Antinuclear Antibody Test,Fluorescent Protein Tracing,Immunofluorescence Technique,Coon's Technic,Fluorescent Antibody Technic,Immunofluorescence,Immunofluorescence Technic,Antibody Technic, Fluorescent,Antibody Technics, Fluorescent,Antibody Technique, Fluorescent,Antibody Techniques, Fluorescent,Coon Technic,Coon Technique,Coons Technic,Coons Technique,Fluorescent Antibody Technics,Fluorescent Antibody Techniques,Fluorescent Protein Tracings,Immunofluorescence Technics,Immunofluorescence Techniques,Protein Tracing, Fluorescent,Protein Tracings, Fluorescent,Technic, Coon's,Technic, Fluorescent Antibody,Technic, Immunofluorescence,Technics, Fluorescent Antibody,Technics, Immunofluorescence,Technique, Coon's,Technique, Fluorescent Antibody,Technique, Immunofluorescence,Techniques, Fluorescent Antibody,Techniques, Immunofluorescence,Tracing, Fluorescent Protein,Tracings, Fluorescent Protein
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000974 Antibodies, Antinuclear Autoantibodies directed against various nuclear antigens including DNA, RNA, histones, acidic nuclear proteins, or complexes of these molecular elements. Antinuclear antibodies are found in systemic autoimmune diseases including systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjogren's syndrome, scleroderma, polymyositis, and mixed connective tissue disease. Anti-DNA Antibodies,Antibodies, Anti-DNA,Antinuclear Antibodies,Antinuclear Autoantibodies,Antinuclear Autoantibody,Antinuclear Factors,Antinuclear Antibody,Antinuclear Factor,Anti DNA Antibodies,Antibody, Antinuclear,Autoantibody, Antinuclear,Factor, Antinuclear
D001172 Arthritis, Rheumatoid A chronic systemic disease, primarily of the joints, marked by inflammatory changes in the synovial membranes and articular structures, widespread fibrinoid degeneration of the collagen fibers in mesenchymal tissues, and by atrophy and rarefaction of bony structures. Etiology is unknown, but autoimmune mechanisms have been implicated. Rheumatoid Arthritis
D013587 Syphilis A contagious venereal disease caused by the spirochete TREPONEMA PALLIDUM. Great Pox
D013588 Syphilis Serodiagnosis Serologic tests for syphilis. Kahn Test,Wassermann Reaction,Serodiagnosis, Syphilis,Reaction, Wassermann,Serodiagnoses, Syphilis,Syphilis Serodiagnoses,Test, Kahn
D014210 Treponema pallidum The causative agent of venereal and non-venereal syphilis as well as yaws.

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