Florida Bureau of Public Health laboratories

Syphilis Screen, Rapid Plasma Reagin(RPR) with Titer

The Syphilis Screen Test for syphilis is a qualitative and semiquantitative non-treponemal flocculation test for the detection of reagin antibodies in human serum and is used as a non-treponemal (screening or confirmatory) test in syphilis serology.

Analyte(s)

Syphilis antibodies

Test Code

0250

Testing Location

Jacksonville Laboratory
Miami Laboratory
Tampa Laboratory

Testing Department

Serology

Pre-approval Required?

No

Required Forms

BPHL Test Requisition, DH1847
(not needed if orders are placed via electronic order)

Learn More

Minimum Volume

At least 2-3 mL of serum

Turn Around time

2-3 business days after receipt at the laboratory.

Supply Ordering

Supplies may be requested from your servicing laboratory. Supplies ordered from the BPHL should only be used for specimen sent to the BPHL for testing.

Learn More

Collection Media

Gold or tiger top serum separator tubes (SST) (Preferred), 3 mL volume (6-8 mL of
whole blood)

Specimen Sources

Serum

Specimen Labeling

Specimen must be labeled with at least two unique patient identifiers, e.g., name and DOB.

Information on the specimen must match the requisition and/or test order. 

Special SPecimen Preparation

Indicate pregnancy status on the test order/requisition form.

Storage Conditions

If needed, centrifuge Serum Separator Tubes (SST) and store at 2-8° C no longer than five (5) days before shipping to the laboratory at 2-8° C. Centrifuged and separated serum stored longer than 5 days must be stored at -20° C or below and shipped on dry ice to ensure they arrive at the laboratory frozen.

Packaging and Shipping

Specimens should be shipped overnight at 2-8°C. Select Saturday delivery on packages shipped on Friday.
Multiple specimen shipments should be sent during a week to ensure an acceptable reporting turn-around time (TAT)

unsatisfactory specimen

1) Grossly hemolyzed, lipemic and contaminated samples.
2) Quantity not sufficient (QNS).
3) Specimens received greater than 7 days at 2-8° C from collection date.
4) Specimens received outside the acceptable temperature range.

Interferences and Limitations

CSF cannot be tested with this method.

Contaminated, lipemic, icteric, or grossly hemolyzed sera should not be used because of the possibility of nonspecific reactions.

Reference Range

Nonreactive

Result Indicator

Reactive with titer

Nonreactive

Reference lab

None

Reflex testing

Treponemal antibody tests as needed