[Value of the indirect immunofluorescence test in syphilis and toxoplasma diagnosis]

The examination tests annually necessary for a serological examination for syphilis and toxoplasmosis are in the first place as to their quantity in the diagnostics of the infection. For the performance of this large number of tests the use of a method is necessary which corresponds to the necessities of rationalisation of the laboratory work in the same way as to the demands to quality, which is characterized by specificity, sensitivity and reproducibility. For these criteria in the framework of the syphilis serology the TPHA-test is in a higher degree sufficient (with the exception of the early syphilis) than the FTA-ABS-test. The small quantity of the imported test set which is at present at our disposal does not allow a general application of this test, so that the FTA-ABS-test is the most usual method. Moreover, by means of FTA-ABS-IgM and 19 S-IgM-FTA-ABS-test valuable diagnostic additional informations (early diagnosis of the infection, L. connata diagnostics, estimation of the success of therapy) can be got which neither the TPI nor the TPHA-test are able to give. For the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis the IFT shows at present a higher value of precision than ELISA. It is still to be clarified in how far in the higher sensitivity of toxoplasmosis ELISA unspecificities play a role.