Question

MLT213 Pre-Lab Name____________________
Lab 8   RPR
1.The RPR test is a “non-treponemal” test.  What does that mean?  How does that influence the way the test result is reported?
2.  When you read the RPR test you will observe clumping, yet this test is not categorized as an agglutination test.  How is it categorized?
3. What is the active ingredient in the RPR test reagent?
4.  What laboratory test is performed if a RPR is “reactive”?
5. Name two reasons why a patient without an active case of syphilis might have a positive RPR.

Answer 1

1) The Rapid Plasma Reagin test or RPR test is a type of rapid diagnostic test that looks for non specific antibodies in the blood of the patient that may indicate syphilis infection. It is one of non treponemal test for syphilis.

Nom treponemal test are indirect method in that they detect biomarkers that are released during cellular damage that occurs from syphilis.

A negative or non reactive RPR test result is compatible with a person not having syphilis. A positive test result indicate presence of syphilis.

2)it is considered as flocculation test

3)RPR ,(Rapid Plasma Reagin)antigen suspension measuring antibodies against a cardiolipin -lecithin - cholesterol antigen complex.

4) FTA - ABS is commonly used confirmatory test after RPR is reactive.

Fluorescent Treponemal Antibody Absorption test is a blood test that checks for presence of antibodies to treponema pallidum bacteria.

5) False positive RPR can occur due to presence of other disease which produces antibodies similar to syphilis like HIV , malaria ,certain case of pneumonia.

Incorrect test result