Syphilis test is used to screen for and/or diagnose infection with Treponema pallidum, the bacterium that causes Syphilis. The antibody test detects the antibodies in the blood and also in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). There are two general types of tests available for syphilis test, non treponemal antibody, and treponemal test. Either of these tests is used to detect active syphilis. The nontreponemal test is highly sensitive but since it is nonspecific, false-positive test results can be caused due to pregnancy, Lyme disease, malaria, tuberculosis, or other autoimmune disorder. Treponemal antibody test is highly specific for syphilis which can detect for active syphilis. The symptoms of this infection are skin rash often on the palms of the hands and bottom of the feet which do not cause itching, sore throat and body aches.