Category
SEROLOGY/ IMMUNOLOGY
Sub Category
INFECTIOUS
Synonyms/Aliases
VENEREAL DISEASE RESEARCH LAB; RAPID PLASMA REAGIN.
Abbreviations
VDRL; RPR.
Type
INDIVIDUAL TEST.
2-3 HRS
RESULTS READY IN 2-3 HOURS.
Method
FLOCCULATION.
Temp
AMBIENT (24 HOURS), REFRIGERATED (7 DAYS), FROZEN (21 DAYS).
Setup
ALL WORKING DAYS.
Components Parameters
N/A
PRE-ANALYTIC CONSIDERATIONS
Test Ordering Instructions
FILL OUT TEST REQUEST FORM FULLY & LEGIBLY.
Patient preparation
N/A
Sample type
SERUM.
Container/ preservative
SERUM SEPARATOR TUBE (SST/ GEL) OR PLAIN (RED TOP) VACUTAINER.
Sample volume
2 ML
Rejection criteria
LABELING ISSUE (UNLABELED/ MISLABELED); MISSING REQUEST FORM; MISMATCH BETWEEN REQUEST FORM & SAMPLE DETAILS; MISSING AGE/ GENDER; WRONG SAMPLE TYPE; INSUFFICIENT SAMPLE; HEMOLYZED, LIPEMIC, ICTERIC SAMPLES.
Other Instructions
CENTRIFUGE SST (SERUM GEL TUBES) WITHIN 1-2 HOURS OF COLLECTION. CENTRIFUGE RED TOP VACUTAINERS AND ALIQUOT SERUM WITHIN 1-2 HOURS OF COLLECTION. THE SEPARATION VIAL MUST BE LABELED WITH AT LEAST 2 PATIENT IDENTIFIERS AND THE SAMPLE TYPE.
Reference intervals
NEGATIVE.
Clinical Utility
SCREENING FOR SYPHILIS INFECTION; MONITORING TREATMENT RESPONSE (DECLINING TITRES).
Test Limitations/ Confounders
REQUIRES FOLLOW-UP TESTING WITH A TREPONEMAL TEST E.G. TPHA IF NOT ALREADY PERFORMED (NO SINGLE SEROLOGICAL TEST CAN DIAGNOSE ACTIVE SYPHILIS).