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Is an FTA ABS test necessary if the RPR is weakly reactive?

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Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

This is regarding a syphilis test RPR (Rapid Plasma Reagin) ratio.

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Please post your query. Regards.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

My RPR titer ratio was 1:2. What does that mean? I read that is weakly reactive. I was asked to do a confirmatory test (FTA ABS). What is the difference? I know my partner was diagnosed with chlamydia and she told me. So, I got treated after the test. My RPR titer was prior to any medication. I know they are two different things. Just placed it there for background.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

RPR (rapid plasma reagin) detects antibodies against syphilis, and the antibodies in your serum are not present in enough quantity to state it as positive, that is, reactive. So, FTA ABS (fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption test) has been advised to get the accurate status of syphilis. Chlamydia and RPR have no relation, and treatment of chlamydia will have no effect on RPR. Go for FTA ABS. Any history of genital ulcer or penile discharge?

Regards.

Medically reviewed byiCliniq medical review team

Published At August 1, 2018
Reviewed AtDecember 23, 2025

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