Morano, Joanne M.

Course and Section: BMLS 1-Y2-5

Syphilis is an infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum that is most often transmitted by
sexual intercourse, such as direct contact with a syphilis sore (chancre), which is a firm, swollen, painless
sore. There are several possible stages with syphilis. The primary stage starts approximately 2-3 weeks
after infection. secondary syphilis may occur from 6 weeks to 6 months after the chancre first appears.
Secondary syphilis, if left untreated, will progress to a latent stage, in which an affected individual shows
no symptoms but also has the infection, and this stage can persist for years. Syphilis is most infectious
during the primary and secondary stages.

A rapid plasma reagin test is a form of blood test that is used to screen for syphilis. It functions by
detecting nonspecific antibodies produced by your body while battling the infection. The RPR
examination detects antibodies in the blood of a syphilis patient rather than the bacterium that causes
the disease. It may also be used to track the success of successful syphilis therapy. the number of
antibodies to decrease after a period of successful antibiotic treatment, and an RPR test could prove
this.
Procedure of Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR) Test: To re-suspend the particle, gently shake the antigen
dispensing bottles. Several drops of antigen (17l of ag) suspension should be added to each circle
containing serum or plasma. In one way, thoroughly mix the suspension. Rotate the card for 4-8 minutes
and check for flocculation. RPR results: Negative Result (nonreactive): No Clumping or slight roughness.
Negative RPR test outcome indicates that the individual does not have syphilis. However, an individual
with syphilis may have a negative RPR test and still have the disease since the RPR also shows negative
results in the early stages of the disease. This is an erroneous negative RPR. Positive Result (Reactive):
Clumping. A reactive test can be seen in patients with a history of syphilis who has been treated. A
positive test result may mean that you have syphilis. If the screening test is positive, the next step is to
confirm the diagnosis with a more specific test for syphilis, such as FTA-ABS. The FTA-ABS test will help
distinguish between syphilis and other infections or conditions.

But just like other test RPR also have its limitations. The RPR card test cannot be used in spinal fluids.
The RPR test may be positive (Reactive) in people who have yaws, pinta, or non-venerable syphilis. In
most cases, residual titres from these infections would be 1:8. RPR test cannot be performed in hot, dust
field. the sensitivity of the RPR test is approximately 78% to 86%, for detecting primary syphilis and
100% for secondary and tertiary syphilis.

References:

https://labtestsonline.org/tests/syphilis-tests

https://www.healthline.com/health/rpr-test#results

https://wwwn.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhanes/2003-2004/labmethods/l36_c_met_rpr.pdf

https://microbiologyinfo.com/rapid-plasma-reagin-rpr-test-for-the-diagnosis-of-syphilis/