VDRL (RPR), Serum
Blood Sample
Free Home Collection
Digital Smart Report
Recommended for Male/Female
NABL & CAP Certified Labs
Trusted by Leading Doctors & Organizations
About VDRL (RPR), Serum
Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR) is a screening test for Syphilis developed by Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL). Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease/infection caused due to bacterium, Treponema pallidum.
A serum VDRL (RPR) measures the antibodies (proteins) in the blood that are produced when an individual comes into contact with the syphilis-causing T. pallidum bacteria.
Signs and symptoms of syphilis infection:
-
Chancre (smooth/hard sore) develops on the genitals or mouth
-
Fever
-
Fatigue
-
Wart-like sores
-
Muscle aches
-
Weight loss
-
Headaches
-
Hair loss
-
Swollen lymph nodes
What is the VDRL test used for?
This test is indicated in case of
-
Signs and symptoms of syphilis infection
-
Risk of exposure to syphilis
-
Another sexually transmitted disease or HIV infection
-
One’s sexual partner is diagnosed with syphilis
-
Unsafe sexual practices
-
Pregnancy
-
Monitoring syphilis treatment
Who should get tested?
-
Individuals who were exposed to syphilis infection
-
Pregnant women
-
Individuals with past syphilis infection
Test preparation:
No special preparations are required for VDRL (RPR) test. Your healthcare provider will collect few mL of your blood in a sterile test tube by inserting a small needle into a vein in your arm.
Please tell your healthcare provider about all the medications and past history of venereal/sexually transmitted diseases, if any.
Interpretation of the Test Results
Test results for VDRL (RPR) are given as either negative (non-reactive) or positive (reactive).
Negative or non-reactive test results may indicate:
- The individual does not have syphilis
- The individual may have syphilis but is in the early/latent stages
- The individual got completely treated for syphilis
- The individual has syphilis, but the immune system is impaired
Positive or reactive test results may indicate:
- The individual has a syphilis infection
- The individual was effectively treated for syphilis, but the infection is not totally resolved yet. (it typically takes about 12 – 18 months for the test to turn negative)
- The patient has false-positive results
A positive test should always be confirmed with additional testing such as FTA-ABS (Fluorescent Treponemal Antibody Absorption) test, a more specific syphilis test.
FAQs on VDRL (RPR), Serum
The test results of serum VDRL (RPR) test are usually available within 5 – 6 working days after the sample collection. However, it could also take a little longer at times.
No, there are no potential risks associated with VDRL (RPR) test. It is a simple blood test and may involve negligible risk such as feeling a slight sting or bruise at the site of needle insertion. It usually resolves within a few minutes to a couple of hours. Rarely, the site can also become infected.
Yes, the VDRL (RPR) test can occasionally produce false-negative results. It is typically noticed during the early or latent stages of syphilis infection. As there are no sufficient antibodies detected in the blood sample the test may lead to false-negative results.
Yes, the VDRL (RPR) test can occasionally produce false-positive results. It is usually noted with certain disease conditions, including:
- HIV/AIDS
- Lyme Disease
- Certain types of pneumonia
- Malaria
- Systemic Lupus Erythematous (SLE)
Once the test results are positive for VDRL (RPR) test, the next step is to confirm the results with an FTA-ABS (Fluorescent Treponemal Antibody Absorption) test – a more specific test for syphilis.
Yes, it is possible to get re-infected with syphilis infection even after the treatment. Having syphilis treatment once does not shield you from getting it again. The syphilis infection can recur again if the person again gets exposed to the bacteria causing syphilis.
VDRL (RPR), Serum
