Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) Test
Booked 342 timesAlso known as:
Venereal disease research laboratory test, Syphilis- VDRL
Blood
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Serum
Description
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Overview
The VDRL test is a nontreponemal test for the detection of sexually transmitted disease syphilis. Nontreponemal tests are non-specific tests. These tests can sometimes yield a false-positive result. The VDRL test is used to diagnose syphilis infection for those who engage in unsafe sexual activities that put them at risk.
Treponema pallidum (T. pallidum) is the bacteria that causes syphilis infection. T. pallidum is a causative agent of syphilis infection, which is sexually transmitted. Syphilis affects the area around the genitals, lips, inner side of the mouth or anus of both men and women.
Syphilis can be transmitted from mother to baby during pregnancy. In addition, syphilis can spread to all parts of the body after entering into the bloodstream. Syphilis, if left untreated, can affect vital organs like the heart, brain, nervous system and eyes.
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
Sample Type
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.
Ranges
Results | Significance |
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 |
The normal values, parameters, and reference ranges of the test may vary from lab to lab. Please refer to the ranges mentioned in the report and consult a doctor to understand the interpretation of lab reports.
Test Result Interpretation
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
Risk Assessment
Syphilis, Gonorrhoea, Neurosyphilis
Price/Cost
The cost of a VDRL(Venereal Disease Research Laboratory) Test varies depending on the city and the lab. In general, a VDRL test price ranges between INR 129 and INR 439. Here is a breakdown of the average cost of a VDRL test in some major cities in India:
City | Min Price | Average Price | Max Price |
129 | 284 | 439 | |
129 | 284 | 439 | |
129 | 284 | 439 | |
129 | 284 | 439 | |
129 | 284 | 439 | |
129 | 284 | 439 | |
129 | 284 | 439 | |
129 | 284 | 439 | |
129 | 284 | 439 | |
129 | 284 | 439 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is VDRL an STD?
No, venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL) is a test for detecting STDs. VDRL test detects antibodies formed for syphilis infection. Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by Treponema pallidum.
Is VDRL positive for life?
No, in primary and secondary syphilis infection, VDRL report values reduce at least four times after 3-6 months of treatment. In tertiary syphilis infection, VDRL values reduce after 1-2 years of treatment.
Is syphilis curable?
Yes, VDRL positive patients are curable. Treatment is faster in the early phases of syphilis infection. Timely diagnosis and treatment can prevent complications. The advised course of antibiotics cures syphilis infection.
How long is VDRL positive?
VDRL test reports will be reactive until the person completes treatment for syphilis. In untreated cases of syphilis, VDRL will be positive throughout life. In primary and secondary syphilis infections, the VDRL report can be negative after six months of treatment. In tertiary syphilis, the VDRL reports turn negative after 24 months of treatment.
How frequently should you take the VDRL test?
The VDRL test is repeated based on the symptoms and as per the doctor’s advice. In addition, VDRL values are usually repeated based on the prognosis of gonorrhoea and syphilis infection. The doctor will advise repetition in those: Who have symptoms of syphilis infection or gonorrhoea Who has a recent history of syphilis treatment Who are currently under treatment for another sexually transmitted disease Who have a history of some other sexually transmitted disease
What is the price of the VDRL test?
The VDRL test price is not standardized, as it can vary from Rs 129 to Rs 439 based on factors such as your location, the diagnostic lab you select and any discounts that may apply.