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An Electron Microscopic Study of the FTA-ABS "Beading" Phenomenon with Lupus Erythematosus Sera, Using Ferritin-Conjugated Anti-Human IgG

From the Center for Disease Control, Health Services and Mental Health Administration, United States Public Health Service, United States Department of Health, Education and Welfare, Atlanta, Georgia 30333

Abstract

The "beading" phenomenon, exhibited by some lupus erythematosus (LE) sera with Treponema pallidum in the FTA-ABS test for syphilis, was studied by electron microscopy. Ferritin-conjugated anti-human IgG rabbit antibody was substituted in the test for the fluorescein conjugate used in fluorescent microscopy. Ferritin "beading" did occur as in the fluorescent system. These ferritin aggregates could not be associated with any localized structure on the T. pallidum, but rather with breaks in the double-layered outer membrane. Such evidence suggests that this phenomenon is a reaction of extruded nuclear material of the organism with the antinuclear antibodies in the LE serum.