LaboratoryMedicine & Pathology
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- General Information
- Interpretation
- Processing
- Performance
General Information
- Lab Name
- Treponema Pallidum DNA detection by NAAT
- Lab Code
- TPLDNA
- Epic Ordering
- Treponema pallidum DNA detection by NAAT
- Description
Detection of Treponema pallidum DNA.
This test detects Treponema pallidum, the etiologic agent of syphilis and endemic treponematoses (e.g., yaws and pinta). It can be ordered as a primary diagnostic when syphilis is suspected and is also available reflexively when Bacterial DNA Detection by PCR (BCTDNA) suggests the presence of T. pallidum below the reporting threshold.
Please note that this assay does NOT distinguish subspecies of T. pallidum.
For more information on this test, to download a requisition form, and for a list of acceptable and unacceptable specimens, please refer to: Molecular Diagnosis Microbiology Section Website
- Synonyms
- 23S LAMP, 23S PCR, chancre, darkfield microscopy, FTA-ABS, meningovascular, neurosyphilis, RPR, spirochete, Syphilis, tabes dorsalis, TP-PA, TPPA, Treponema, Treponema pallidum, treponeme, VDRL
- Components
-
Code Name TP23RS T pallidum NAAT: Detection, 23S rDNA TPLID T pallidum NAAT: Identification TPLSI T pallidum NAAT: Specimen Description TPLSPI T pallidum NAAT: External Identifier TPLSR T pallidum NAAT: Special Requests TPLSC T pallidum NAAT: Specimen Comments TPLNAE T pallidum NAAT: Specimen DNA Extraction TPLREV T pallidum NAAT: Pathologist Review TPLME T pallidum NAAT: Method Note
Interpretation
- Method
DNA extraction, nucleic acid purification, Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification
- Reference Range
- See individual components
- Guidelines
-
- Washington DOH Notifiable Conditions
Ordering & Collection
- Specimen Type
- Tissue (Fresh frozen or paraffin-embedded), Fluid (see Acceptable Specimens for details), Whole blood (EDTA-anticoagulated whole blood is an acceptable validated specimen type but requires director approval due to logistical & specimen batching considerations)
- Collection
-
Acceptable specimens are listed below. Please see this page for complete specimen collection and handling instructions.
Specimens should be collected into a DNA free container labeled with at least two identifiers.
Acceptable Specimens
- Fresh frozen tissue
- Fresh frozen fluid: any body fluid is acceptable if it is not listed under Unacceptable Specimens. See common examples below.
- Formalin Fixed Paraffin-embedded tissues (FFPE, PET): blocks, scrolls, and unstained slides are acceptable
- eSwabs and UTM (universal transport media)
- Sodium polyanethol sulfonate (SPS, Wampole Isolator Tubes) acceptable with disclaimer
- Whole blood, including cord blood, in a lavender/purple top EDTA tube
- Note: Director approval is required for submission of blood samples due to logistical & specimen batching considerations.
Common acceptable body fluid examples: cerebrospinal fluid, pleural fluid, pericardial fluid, urine, bronchial lavage, joint fluid, bone marrow, vitreous fluid, etc.
Additional Acceptable Specimens
- Sputum
Unacceptable Specimens
- Serum, plasma, stool
- No citrated or heparinized solutions
- Tissues floating in formalin
- Swab/fluid collected in tube containing agar
- Handling Instructions
Fresh frozen tissue/fluid specimens should be submitted and maintained on dry ice.
Formalin Fixed Paraffin-embedded tissues (FFPE, PET) can be sent ambient or with ice packs during warmer summer months to prevent melting.
Whole blood should be frozen at -80C; please submit/transport specimens on dry ice.
Optimal Quantity:
- Fresh Tissue: 0.3-1.0 cm^3
- Fluid: 0.2-1 mL
- Formalin Fixed Paraffin-embedded Tissue (FFPE/PET): blocks are preferred and will be sent back to client upon completion of testing
- Scrolls/unstained slides: cross-sectional area >1cm^2 send 10 sections of 10µm thickness, if <1cm^2 send 20 sections if available
- Whole Blood: at least 1mL of whole blood in a lavender/purple top EDTA tube. 1.5mL or more is requested.
Please note: We do not need a separate specimen aliquot for each test ordered. Only a single specimen aliquot or block of optimal quantity is necessary for performing multiple tests. If multiple aliquots or blocks of optimal quantity are sent, up to 2 will be pooled.
- Quantity
- requested: See Optimal Quantity above
minimum: Specimens below optimal quantity are acceptable for testing, however, diagnostic yield is generally proportional to specimen size.
Processing
- Processing
UWMC/HMC – store and send specimen refrigerated and freeze specimens at -20°C (Note: -80C for whole blood) upon arrival in UW-ML Microbiology. If specimen storage and transport will exceed 8 hours, freeze at -20°C (-80C for whole blood).
Freeze specimens at -20°C upon arrival (Note: freeze at -80C for whole blood).
Outside Laboratories: Freeze tissue & body fluid specimens in sterile containers at -20°C. Freeze whole blood at -80C. Transport all specimens on dry ice.
Performance
- LIS Dept Code
- Micro Molecular Diag (MMD)
- Performing Location(s)
-
UW-MT Microbiology, Molecular Diagnostics
206-520-4600Clinical Lab, Room # NW177,
University of Washington Medical Center,
1959 NE Pacific street, Seattle, WA 98195 - Frequency
- Fresh frozen tissues/fluids result in 2-3 business days after receipt of specimen. Formalin Fixed Paraffin-embedded tissues result in 3-4 business days after receipt of specimen. Whole blood is batched and currently performed 1 – 2 times per week.
- Available STAT?
- No
Billing & Coding
- CPT codes
- 87798
- LOINC
- 41163-7
- Interfaced Order Code
- UOW4596
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