The nontreponemal VDRL test is used to identify syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection. Non-specific tests are known as nontreponemal testing. Sometimes the results of these tests can be falsely positive. When someone engages in risky sexual behavior, the VDRL test is performed to diagnose syphilis infection. Syphilis infection is brought on by the bacteria Treponema pallidum, or T. pallidum. The sexually transmitted infection known as syphilis is caused by T. pallidum. Both men and women can have syphilis, which affects the region surrounding their genitalia, lips, inner side of their mouths, or anus. During pregnancy, syphilis can be passed from mother to unborn child. Furthermore, once syphilis enters the bloodstream, it can spread to every area of the body. If untreated, syphilis can harm the heart, brain, neurological system, and eyes, among other important organs. Syphilis is a gonorrheal disease. There are four stages of syphilis infection: Primary Primary syphilis infection occurs after three weeks to three months of contamination. It begins with a small red lesion called a Chancre. Chance is a highly contagious lesion. The VDRL results can be false negative in this phase. Secondary Secondary syphilis infection presents with symptoms of fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes and joint pain. These symptoms slowly fade away with or without treatment. Without treatment, syphilis infection grows to the next phase. The VDRL test will be reactive in this stage. Latent The third phase is known as the latent phase because it is the hidden phase. In this phase, there will not be any perceptible signs and symptoms. In this phase, the bacterial infection progresses to the tertiary phase. Tertiary The tertiary syphilis phase is the last phase of infection. Tertiary syphilis infection becomes noticeable years after the latent syphilis phase. The tertiary syphilis phase can be life-threatening. The symptoms of the tertiary syphilis phase are blindness, deafness and neurological symptoms. The human body produces antibodies in response to T. pallidum. These antibodies are proteins that destroy the invading bacteria. Therefore, a blood or CSF sample is needed to perform a VDRL test. VDRL is a type of slide flocculation test. In this test, cardiolipin is used as an antigen to detect antibodies in the serum. Alcohol-extract bovine heart muscle is a cardiolipin antigen. Lecithin and cholesterol are added to Cardiolipin antigen. When there are antibodies in the serum, cardiolipin reacts with them to form flocculation. Within 2-3 weeks of treponemal infection due to tissue damage, autoantibodies are formed. Cardiolipin and the autoantibodies react with each other and VDRL results are generated. The VDRL test does not detect bacteria that cause syphilis infection. Instead, it detects antibodies produced in response to T. pallidum bacteria. Testing these antibodies helps doctors detect syphilis infection. Even without any symptoms, the VDRL test yields accurate results. VDRL test checks for proteins that fight infection. Hence VDRL test can be used irrespective of symptoms. The VDRL chart reveals the number of antibodies in blood or CSF samples. The VDRL test does not react with the T. pallidum bacteria. The doctor asks for a CSF VDRL test result when he suspects an advanced stage of syphilis infection. If syphilis infection is diagnosed and treated in time, complications and damage to organs are prevented. Other Names of VDRL Test Syphilis - VDRL Venereal disease research laboratory test What does the VDRL test detect or measure? The VDRL values reveal the presence or absence of antibodies to syphilis infection. In addition, it detects proteins that defend and destroy invading T. Pallidum bacteria. To whom is the VDRL test prescribed? The VDRL is prescribed for the following conditions: As a part of a routine screening test in pregnancy. In people who have multiple sex partners. In people who get engaged in unprotected sexual activity. In men and women who practise homosexuality. In people who have undergone treatment for gonorrhoea. In case the person has signs and symptoms of a sexually transmitted disease: The appearance of chancre (a round, red sore) on genitals. Wart-like lesions in the vagina, anus, male genitals and mouth. Red rashes on any parts of the body. The appearance of red and firm sore lesions on any part of the body. Swollen lymph nodes Fever Muscle aches Sore throat Hair Fall in patches Unexplained weight loss Soft tissue swelling

Syphilis, Gonorrhoea, Neurosyphilis

Reactive/ Positive - VDRL positive Indicates the presence of antibodies in blood serum/CSF Non-reactive/ Negative - VDRL negative Absence of antibodies in the blood serum/CSF

VDRL Negative A VDRL negative test means you are healthy. It means blood samples do not contain any antibodies to T. palladium. VDRL Positive A VDRL-positive test means the sample contains antibodies of syphilis infection. The ability of the VDRL test to detect antibodies depends on the stage of syphilis infection. VDRL test may show false-negative results in the primary phase of syphilis infection. VDRL chart results are more accurate in the secondary and latent phases of syphilis infection. It is always advisable to confirm with the FTA-ABS test for the final diagnosis of syphilis infection. Some conditions that may cause false-positive results include: HIV/AIDS Lyme disease Certain types of pneumonia Malaria Tuberculosis Systemic lupus erythematosus Used IV drug Recent history of blood transfusion

A simple blood sample is sufficient for a VDRL test. Therefore, blood samples from veins are collected for the VDRL test. Test Preparation The VDRL procedure does not require any special preparation. A sample of blood is obtained from the vein. Test inclusions: What are the parameters included? The VDRL test detects antibodies to syphilis infection caused by the bacteria T. palladium.