| Abstract [eng] |
SUMMARY Cross - reactivity in serological test for Lyme disease and syphilis Author: Tatjana Subočiūtė Supervisor: Andrius Vagoras, MD Work purpose: to determine the incidence of possibly false positive results of serological syphilis and Lyme borreliosis tests, routinely used in VULSK Diagnostics centre, occurring because of cross reactivity of patients, having one of these disease, blood. Work methods: the research was carried out in Vilnius University Hospital Santariškių Klinikos (VULSK) Infection Markers Research Department of Microbiological Laboratory in Laboratory Diagnostics Centre. Serum samples were collected and tested from February, 2005, till March, 2006. The investigation material was composed of 40 serum samples. 23 serum samples for syphilis test came from VULSK Centre of Dermatovenereology. 8 serum samples for Lyme borreliosis test were received from VULSK Centre of Dermatovenereology. 9 serum samples for Lyme borreliosis test were picked by UAB “Endemik”. All the samples, included into the research, were tested by following reactions: 1) RPR with titer, 2) TPHA, 3) Treponema pallidum ELISA, 4) Treponema pallidum immunofluorescence, 5) Borrelia burgdorferi immunofluorescence. Research results: After testing the serums by five reactions (PRP, TPHA, Treponema pallidum FTA – ABS, Treponema pallidum ELISA and Borrelia burgdorferi immunofluorescence), a serological cross reactivity between Borrelia burgdorferi immunofluorescence and Treponema pallidum FTA - ABS was noticed. According to the results of our research, in 5 serum samples (29%) cross reactivity (positive Treponema pallidum FTA - ABS reactions) was found when testing 17 serum samples (positive for Lyme disease). When testing 23 serum samples (positive for syphilis) cross reactivity (positive Borrelia burgdorferi immunofluorescence reactions) was found in 18 samples (78%). Moreover, false positive and false negative factors influencing the test results may affect serological test results. Conclusions: 1. It was determined, that serum samples, picked out because of Lyme disease, cross react in Treponema pallidum FTA - ABS reaction. 2. It was determined, that serum samples, picked out because of syphilis, cross react in Borrelia burgdorferi immunofluorescence reaction. 3. Serological cross reactivity is more common in case of syphilis than Lyme disease. |
