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Test Code RPR RPR w/Reflex to Titer

Important Note

This test should not be used for testing spinal fluids.

For spinal fluid specimens see VDRL, Spinal Fluid - Fairbanks Memorial Hospital

Additional Codes

Cerner

NextGen

RPR w/Reflex to Titer

RPR w/Reflex to Titer

Alternate Name(s)

Rapid Plasma Reagin

Non-treponemal

Useful For/ Methodology

The Sure-Vue® RPR (rapid plasma reagin) for Syphilis is a qualitative and semi quantitative nontreponemal flocculation test for the detection of reagin antibodies in human serum as a screening test in syphilis serology.

Treponema pallidum, the etiological agent of syphilis, induces the production of at least two types of antibodies in human infection: anti-treponemal antibodies that can be detected by FTA-ABS antigen 1, and anti-nontreponemal antibodies (reagin) that can be detected by RPR antigen 2.

The Sure-Vue® RPR is an macroscopic nontreponemal flocculation test to be used for the detection of reagin. The microparticulate carbon RPR antigen enhances the visual discrimination between reactive and nonreactive results. The reagin-type antibody binds with the antigen that is composed of a complex of cardiolipin, lecithin and cholesterol particles with activated charcoal; the result of this antigen-antibody reaction is macroscopic flocculation.

Patient Preparation

None

Collection Instructions

Standard phlebotomy practices.

Specimen Requirements

Container

Serum

 or 

 

Stability
  • Serum samples should be tested within five (5) days of collection.
  • Samples that require longer storage must be removed from the red cells and may be stored at 2-8°C for five (5) days or at -20°C or below until testing.

Rejection Criteria
  • Samples should be free from bacterial contamination, hemolysis, or lipemia
  • Plasma
  • Serum samples not removed from cells within 5 days of collection
  • Collection with insufficient volume. 

Result Reporting and Reference Values

Reference Range

Non-reactive, all ages/genders

Reflex Testing

Limitations

• Biological false positive reactions occur occasionally with the CARBON ANTIGEN. Such reactions sometimes occur in samples from individuals with a history of drug abuse, or with diseases such as lupus erythematosus, malaria, vaccinia, mononucleosis, leprosy, viral pneumonia, and after smallpox vaccinations.

• Pinta, yaws, bejel and other treponemal diseases produce positive reactions in this test

• Contaminated, lipemic, or grossly hemolyzed sera should not be used because of the possibility of nonspecific reactions.  

• In accord with all diagnostic methods, a final diagnosis should not be made on the result of a single test, but should be based on a correlation of test results with other clinical findings.

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