Aiding in the diagnosis of neurosyphilis
Only orderable as a reflex. For more information see VDSF / VDRL, Spinal Fluid.
Flocculation/Agglutination
Neurosyphilis
Syphilis
CSF
Only orderable as a reflex. For more information see VDSF / VDRL, Spinal Fluid.
Collection Container/Tube: Sterile vial
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL
Collection Instructions: Submit specimen collected in vial 2, if possible. If not, note which vial from which the aliquot was obtained.
0.2 mL
Gross hemolysis | Reject |
Gross lipemia | Reject |
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
---|---|---|---|
CSF | Frozen (preferred) | 14 days | |
Refrigerated | 14 days |
Aiding in the diagnosis of neurosyphilis
The Veneral Diseases Research Laboratory (VRDL) assay is a nontreponemal serologic test for syphilis that uses a cardiolipin-cholesterol-lecithin antigen to detect reaginic antibodies.
The presence of neurosyphilis in untreated patients can be detected by the presence of pleocytosis, elevated protein, and a positive VDRL result.
Only orderable as a reflex. For more information see VDSF / VDRL, Spinal Fluid.
Negative
Reference values apply to all ages.
A positive VDRL on spinal fluid is highly specific for neurosyphilis.
VDRL testing on spinal fluid gives a high percentage of false-negative results.
1. Miller JN. Value and limitations of nontreponemal and treponemal tests in the laboratory diagnosis of syphilis. Clin Obstet Gynecol. 1975;18(1):191-203
2. Radolf JD, Tramont EC, Salazar JC. Syphilis (Treponema pallidum). In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Elsevier; 2020:2865-2892
The VDRL antigen and spinal fluid are mixed on a 180 RPM rotator. The antigen, a cardiolipin-lecithin coated cholesterol particle, flocculates in the presence of reagin.(US Department of Health, Education and Welfare, National Communicable Diseases Center, Venereal Disease Program: Manual of Tests for Syphilis. Centers for Disease Control; 1969; Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Elsevier; 2020)
Monday through Friday
This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.
86593
Test Id | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
VDSFQ | VDRL Titer, CSF | 31146-4 |
Result Id | Test Result Name |
Result LOINC Value
Applies only to results expressed in units of measure originally reported by the performing laboratory. These values do not apply to results that are converted to other units of measure.
|
---|---|---|
65036 | VDRL Titer, CSF | 31146-4 |