A positive serum FTA-ABS and a negative VDRL on CSF indicate:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A positive serum FTA-ABS (Fluorescent Treponemal Antibody Absorption) test indicates exposure to the bacterium that causes syphilis, Treponema pallidum. A negative VDRL (Venereal Disease Research Laboratory) test on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) suggests that there is no active neurosyphilis. This scenario can occur in individuals who have been successfully treated for syphilis, as the FTA-ABS remains positive for life, indicating past infection, while the VDRL becomes negative once the infection is successfully treated.

A Positive Serum FTA-ABS and a Negative VDRL on CSF