Florida Bureau of Public Health laboratories

Syphilis Screen, Rapid Plasma Reagin(RPR) with Titer

Syphilis screen utilizes a rapid plasma reagin Non-treponemal macroscopic flocculation test

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)

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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.

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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, Ex: 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 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

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

Interferences and Limitations

CSF cannot be tested with this method.

Reference Range

Nonreactive

Result Indicator

Reactive with titer

Nonreactive

Indeterminate or Indeterminate due to equivocal – cannot tell if negative or positive OR invalid – did not return any result twice. All Indeterminates should submit a new sample and re-order test. 

Reference lab

None

Reflex testing

Treponemal antibody tests as needed