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FTA-ABS Test

FTA-ABS Test To the Editor.— We believe that the data presented by Burns in his report on the fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorption (FTA-ABS) test (234:617, 1975) do not support his conclusions. First, Burns' use of the FTA-ABS test to screen healthy persons for syphilis was an improper application of the test and may have led to meaningless conclusions. When any diagnostic test is applied to a low-prevalence disease population, such as presumed healthy persons, the ratio of false-positive to true-positive results increases. Thus, the author's results may represent results of repeat serologic testing in a number of persons with false-positive FTA-ABS tests. The use of this test should be restricted to those persons who are at high risk of syphilis, eg, persons with reactive VDRL test results or suspicion of recent syphilis. Second, Burns failed to support his statement that the degree of fluorescence in the FTA-ABS test is important in detecting syphilis. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png JAMA American Medical Association

FTA-ABS Test

Abstract



To the Editor.—
We believe that the data presented by Burns in his report on the fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorption (FTA-ABS) test (234:617, 1975) do not support his conclusions.
First, Burns' use of the FTA-ABS test to screen healthy persons for syphilis was an improper application of the test and may have led to meaningless conclusions. When any diagnostic test is applied to a low-prevalence disease population, such as presumed healthy persons, the ratio of...
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Publisher
American Medical Association
Copyright
Copyright © 1976 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved. Applicable FARS/DFARS Restrictions Apply to Government Use.
ISSN
0098-7484
eISSN
1538-3598
DOI
10.1001/jama.1976.03260400012004
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

To the Editor.— We believe that the data presented by Burns in his report on the fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorption (FTA-ABS) test (234:617, 1975) do not support his conclusions. First, Burns' use of the FTA-ABS test to screen healthy persons for syphilis was an improper application of the test and may have led to meaningless conclusions. When any diagnostic test is applied to a low-prevalence disease population, such as presumed healthy persons, the ratio of false-positive to true-positive results increases. Thus, the author's results may represent results of repeat serologic testing in a number of persons with false-positive FTA-ABS tests. The use of this test should be restricted to those persons who are at high risk of syphilis, eg, persons with reactive VDRL test results or suspicion of recent syphilis. Second, Burns failed to support his statement that the degree of fluorescence in the FTA-ABS test is important in detecting syphilis.

Journal

JAMAAmerican Medical Association

Published: Apr 5, 1976

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