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What Does This Non Reactive VDRL Test Result Mean?

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Posted on Fri, 1 Aug 2014
Question: i made VDRL test and it showing me non reactive and showing that msg :
By slide flocculation test for qualitative detection of non-specific antibodies in the blood of the patient that may indicate that the organism is Treponema pallidum
what that mean ??
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Answered by Dr. Luchuo Engelbert Bain (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Means negative test, unlikely to be Syphillis

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for the question,

A VDRL test is a blood test used to detect if one has Syphllis or not, or if the person has recently come in contact with the germ causing Syphillis (Treponema Pallidum) or not.

A non reactive test means the test is negative. It might be very unlikely that you should have syphillis. Doing a TPHA test, diagnostic of syphillis could be helpful too. VDRL and TPHA are the main tests used in diagnosing Treponema Pallidum (Syphillis) infection. Depending on the results, the duration of the illness, treatment course and follow up pattern decisions are then made. Either one of them can be positive or both, and the interpretation would be different.

A non reactive VDRL is reassuring its not Syphillis, but a TPHA test would be more conclusive regarding a possibility of an infection. Other causes of symptoms should be actively sought for too.

Kind regards,

Dr Bain
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Luchuo Engelbert Bain

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 3092 Questions

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What Does This Non Reactive VDRL Test Result Mean?

Brief Answer: Means negative test, unlikely to be Syphillis Detailed Answer: Hi and thanks for the question, A VDRL test is a blood test used to detect if one has Syphllis or not, or if the person has recently come in contact with the germ causing Syphillis (Treponema Pallidum) or not. A non reactive test means the test is negative. It might be very unlikely that you should have syphillis. Doing a TPHA test, diagnostic of syphillis could be helpful too. VDRL and TPHA are the main tests used in diagnosing Treponema Pallidum (Syphillis) infection. Depending on the results, the duration of the illness, treatment course and follow up pattern decisions are then made. Either one of them can be positive or both, and the interpretation would be different. A non reactive VDRL is reassuring its not Syphillis, but a TPHA test would be more conclusive regarding a possibility of an infection. Other causes of symptoms should be actively sought for too. Kind regards, Dr Bain