R.P.R. (VDRL Test)

The RPR (Rapid Plasma Reagin) Test, also known as the VDRL (Venereal Disease Research Laboratory) Test, is a diagnostic test used to detect the presence of antibodies against the bacterium Treponema pallidum, which causes the sexually transmitted infection syphilis.

The RPR Test is a non-treponemal test that detects antibodies against cardiolipin, a component of cell membranes that is released when cells are damaged. The test kit contains reagents that react with these antibodies to produce a visible agglutination, which can be observed under a microscope. The test can be performed in as little as 5-10 minutes.

To perform the RPR Test, a blood sample is collected from the patient and processed according to standard laboratory procedures. The prepared serum sample is then added to the test kit and the agglutination reaction is carried out using the provided reagents. The degree of agglutination is then observed and compared to a standard chart to determine the level of antibodies against cardiolipin in the specimen.

The RPR Test is a screening test that is used to detect the presence of syphilis antibodies in the blood. However, a positive RPR Test result does not confirm a diagnosis of syphilis, as false positives can occur in certain medical conditions or due to other factors. Further confirmatory testing, such as the Treponema pallidum particle agglutination assay (TPPA), fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FTA-ABS) test or the T. pallidum hemagglutination assay (TPHA) may be required for definitive diagnosis of syphilis.