Can VDRL be false-negative?

A negative test is normal. It means that no antibodies to syphilis have been seen in your blood sample. The screening test is most likely to be positive in the secondary and latent stages of syphilis. This test may give a false-negative result during early- and late-stage syphilis.

Can VDRL test be false-positive?

The Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test for syphilis screening may, under certain circumstances, yield positive results in patients not infected with Treponema pallidum, a phenomenon referred to as biological false-positive (BFP) VDRL test.

Is VDRL test enough?

Researchers from the University Hospital Zurich in Switzerland have found that the Venereal Disease Research Laboratory test was not sensitive enough and should not be recommended as a screening test for primary syphilis in those with HIV.

What if VDRL test is nonreactive?

A nonreactive VDRL test may indicate that the patient does not have neurosyphilis. However, a negative result can occur in some patients with neurosyphilis. CSF treponemal test have high sensitivity and are helpful only when test is negative.

What causes false-negative VDRL?

The VDRL test may not be accurate in some cases. Your body requires a long time to produce syphilis antibodies. You may get false-negative results if your body has not produced specific antibodies even if you have the infection.

How common is a false-positive RPR test?

About 1% to 2 % of the US population have false-positive results. Please note that false-positive results have a low RPR titer (number). False-positive results are most common in pregnancy and in patients with lupus, HIV, endocarditis, and even recent immunization.

What causes false positive VDRL?

The VDRL test is sometimes positive in the absence of syphilis. For example, a false positive VDRL can be encountered in infectious mononucleosis, lupus, the antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, hepatitis A, leprosy, malaria and, occasionally, pregnancy. The RPR (rapid plasma reagin) test is similar to the VDRL test.

What if VDRL test is positive?

A positive result means that the VDRL test detected the presence of the syphilis antibodies.

What can cause a false positive RPR?

Some conditions may cause a false-positive test, including:

• IV drug use.
• Lyme disease.
• Certain types of pneumonia.
• Malaria.
• Pregnancy.
• Systemic lupus erythematosus and some other autoimmune disorders.
• Tuberculosis (TB)

How accurate is the VDRL blood test?

The VDRL blood test is not always accurate. Infections, such as HIV or pneumonia, as well as other autoimmune disorders, can trigger a false-positive result. If the result is positive, a doctor will perform another test, such as the fluorescent treponemal absorption assay. This test will be able to confirm whether the infection is syphilis.

What are the applications of VDRL test?

Applications of VDRL Test 1 It is used mostly as the screening test for syphilitic infection. 2 Screening for syphilis is a routine part of pregnancy tests. 3 VDRL test for syphilis is also performed if being treated for another STI such as gonorrhea, infected with HIV, or if engaged in high-risk sexual activity.

Do you have to fast for a VDRL test?

The VDRL test doesn’t require you to fast or stop taking any medications. If your doctor wants you to make an exception, they’ll let you know before your test. If your doctor suspects that the syphilis infection has spread to your brain, your doctor may choose to test your spinal fluid in addition to your blood.

What does VDRL stand for in medical terms?

Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) Test. The Venereal Disease Research Laboratory test (VDRL) is a screening test for sexually transmitted infection – syphilis caused by the spirochete bacterium Treponema pallidum.