VDRL Test (RPR, Serum) in Fort

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by Treponema pallidum. It is easily curable if treated in early stage. Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR) is a Non-treponemal test used for rapid screening of Syphilis and may be positive in some other conditions. Treponemal test like Treponema Pallidum Hemagglutination test (TPHA) is a specific test used as a follow-up test on patients who have tested positive for RPR

A test developed by the venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL) can tell you if you have contracted sexually transmitted infections like syphilis (STI). Treponema pallidum is the bacteria that causes syphilis and can be transmitted sexually. By gaining access to the wall of the mouth or vagina, the bacterium spreads infection.

The VDRL test does not look for germs that cause syphilis. Instead, it searches for antibodies that your body makes in response to antigens made by bacteria-damaged cells. Your immune system creates antibodies, a type of protein, to defend against foreign invaders like germs. Your doctor can determine whether you have syphilis by testing for these antibodies.

Written by: Dr Abhilasha Kochhar, Dept. of Biochemistry