Test, syphilis (VDRL)
A blood test for syphilis (VDRL stands for Venereal Disease Research Laboratory) that detects an antibody that is present in the bloodstream when a patient has syphilis.
A negative (nonreactive) VDRL is compatible with a person not having syphilis, but in the early stages of the disease, the VDRL often gives false negative results. Conversely, a false positive VDRL can be encountered in infectious mononucleosis, lupus, antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, hepatitis A, leprosy, malaria and, occasionally, pregnancy.
See also syphilis; syphilis test, RPR.
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- Test, VDRL
A blood test for syphilis (VDRL stands for Venereal Disease Research Laboratory) that detects an antibody that is present in the bloodstream when a patient has syphilis.
- Test, Venereal Disease Research Laboratory
A blood test for syphilis. Venereal Disease Research Laboratory is commonly abbreviated VDRL. A negative (“nonreactive”) VDRL is compatible with a person not having syphilis. However, a person may a negative VDRL and still have syphilis since, in the early stages of the disease, the VDRL often gives negative results. This is called a false […]