CANOGA PARK, Calif.—APHSS has announced that after continued and exhaustive research its doctors have discovered a new test for syphilis. The state-of-the-art Treponemal EIA test significantly shortens the window for syphilis testing from 90 days to 14 days. The test is FDA approved and has 99-100 percent levels of sensitivity and specificity.
This discovery provides the industry with a viable alternative to preventative treatment. For performers who have had preventative treatment administered, they will still be available to work 10 days after the date treatment was administered. For performers who have not had the treatment, the waiting time to begin performing can be reduced from 90 days to 14 days.
Because of this significantly shortened window, APHSS is suspending preventative treatment and is asking performers who have not been preventatively treated to go to any APHSS provider and get tested with the new test and to get re-tested 14 days later.
Effective immediately, all APHSS providers will utilize the new Treponemal EIA test in monthly performer testing panel.
"Trep-Sure is the brand name of the Treponemal EIA test for syphilis that will be utilized by APHSS.org doctors," the APHSS said in a statement. "This test, manufactured by Phoenix Bio-tech Corporation, is FDA approved as a confirmatory diagnostic test for syphilis."
Performers who have already received a preventative shot or prescription are clear to work, with a clean panel, 10 days after receiving treatment. That means performers who received preventative treatment on Aug. 22, the first day treatment was provided, will be able to perform with a clean panel—that includes the new Treponemal EIA test—on Sept. 1. If they were treated on Aug. 23, they will be available on Sept. 2, and so on. Performers will be shown as available to work on the APHSS database 10 days after treatment with a clean panel that includes the new Treponemal EIA test for syphilis.
Performers who have not received preventative antibiotics should go to any APHSS provider and take the new Treponemal EIA test. If the test is positive, immediate treatment is available. If the test is negative, the performer should wait 14 days and retest with the new Treponemal EIA. With two negative Treponemal EIA tests 14 days apart, along with a cleared panel, the performer will be cleared for work. Performers will be shown as available to work 14 days after a negative Treponemal EIA test with a clean panel that includes the new Treponemal test for syphilis.
"This is great news for the industry," said Diane Duke FSC Executive Director. "Not only will we be able to use this test to confirm that performers are not infected and can work in a much shorter period of time, but also we will be able to identify those who may have an acute (recent) infection not recognized by the standard RPR syphilis test. Our program has and will continue to seek out the best and latest testing and technologies for the health and well-being of our performers."
APHSS has thousands of sites for performers to choose from nationwide. Performers can contact any of the providers below to obtain the new Treponemal EIA test.
AMTC Advanced Medical Testing Center
Locations Nationwide, including California
(888) 511-0262
Cutting Edge Testing - Van Nuys, Calif.
Dr. Peter Miao MD (818) 386-2132
5000 Van Nuys Blvd. Suite 202
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon–Fri
Lab(s) utilized: CERF Laboratories
Cutting Edge Testing - Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
2312 Wilton Dr.
Wilton Manners, FL 33305
(954) 745-6888
STD Status
Approximately 2,000 locations nationwide including many in LA and Miami
Hours will vary by location
(866) 554-4296
Lab(s) utilized: LabCorp Laboratories
Dr. Sean Darcy
Concierge physician available to administer tests in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco to groups on site by appt.
(310) 351-8814
