Syphilis is a venereal disease caused by the spirochaete microorganism Treponema pallidum. As the organism cannot be cultured on artificial media the diagnosis of syphilis depends on the correlation of clinical data with the detection of the specific antibody by serological tests. Plasmatec produce a range of nontreponemal and haemagglutination syphilis assays.
VDRL Carbon Antigen
VDRL Carbon particle Antigen is a modified form of VDRL antigen containing microparticulate carbon. It is designed for use in flocculation tests for the serodiagnosis of syphilis. The carbon particles aid the macroscopic reading of the results. Weak reactive results can be easily and clearly distinguished from non-reactive patterns which display a macroscopically smooth and even appearance.
RPR (Rapid Plasma Reagin) tests
The Plasmatec RPR test is a complete test system for the detection of syphilis which utilises plasma, unheated or heated serum. The test antigen is a modified form of VDRL antigen containing microparticulate carbon. A reactive result is indicated by agglutination which is readily visible without the aid of a microscope. The kit is provided complete with positive and negative controls, sample droppers/ stirrers, disposable agglutination slides and a convenient RPR antigen dispenser.
TPHA (Treponema pallidum Haemagglutination assay)
The Plasmatec TPHA test kit has been shown to be a convenient and specific test for the diagnosis of syphilis requiring a minimum of laboratory equipment, test results are obtained in 45-60 minutes. The Plasmatec TPHA reagents are used to detect human serum antibodies to T.pallidum by means of an indirect haemagglutination (IHA) method. Preserved avian erythrocytes are coated with antigenic components of pathogenic T.pallidum (Nichol’s strain). These test cells agglutinate in the presence of specific antibodies to T.Pallidum and show characteristic patterns in microtitration plates. Any non-specific reactions occurring are detected using the control cells which are avian erythrocytes not coated with T.Pallidum antigens. Non-Specific reactions may also be absorbed out using these control cells.