"The FTA-Abs assay reliably indicates a history of exposure to Treponema pallidum or cross-reacting antigen, however, does not distinguish between active and treated disease. Whilst FTA-Abs assays have high sensitivity and specificity (100% and 98% respectively) due to the very low levels of disease prevalence the positive predictive value is only 22%.2 Western blot assays are however able to confirm if the infection is active. Clinically, patients report vertigo that lasts minutes to hours, and the Tullio phenomenon may also be present, whereby motion of the tympanic membrane and ossicular chain (loud noise) can induce vertigo and nystagmus (Hennebert sign) in patients with otic syphilis, but may also occur in perilymph fistula and semicircular canal dehiscence.3"
"The FTA-Abs assay reliably indicates a history of exposure to Treponema pallidum or cross-reacting antigen, however, does not distinguish between active and treated disease. Whilst FTA-Abs assays have high sensitivity and specificity (100% and 98% respectively) due to the very low levels of disease prevalence the positive predictive value is only 22%.2 Western blot assays are however able to confirm if the infection is active. Clinically, patients report vertigo that lasts minutes to hours, and the Tullio phenomenon may also be present, whereby motion of the tympanic membrane and ossicular chain (loud noise) can induce vertigo and nystagmus (Hennebert sign) in patients with otic syphilis, but may also occur in perilymph fistula and semicircular canal dehiscence.3"
"The FTA-Abs assay reliably indicates a history of exposure to Treponema pallidum or cross-reacting antigen, however, does not distinguish between active and treated disease. Whilst FTA-Abs assays have high sensitivity and specificity (100% and 98% respectively) due to the very low levels of disease prevalence the positive predictive value is only 22%.2 Western blot assays are however able to confirm if the infection is active. Clinically, patients report vertigo that lasts minutes to hours, and the Tullio phenomenon may also be present, whereby motion of the tympanic membrane and ossicular chain (loud noise) can induce vertigo and nystagmus (Hennebert sign) in patients with otic syphilis, but may also occur in perilymph fistula and semicircular canal dehiscence.3"