Florida Bureau of Public Health laboratories
Syphilis Screen, Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR) with Titer
The Syphilis screening test is a qualitative and semiquantitative non-treponemal flocculation test following the traditional algorithm 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
Testing Department
Serology
Pre-approval Required?
No
Required Forms
BPHL Test Requisition, DH1847
(not needed if orders are placed via electronic order)
Minimum Volume
At least 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.
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 days before shipping to the laboratory at 2-8° C.
Centrifuged and separated serum stored longer than five 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 within a week to ensure an acceptable reporting turnaround time (TAT)
unsatisfactory specimen
1. Grossly hemolyzed, lipemic, and contaminated samples
2. Quantity not sufficient (QNS)
3. Specimens received greater than seven 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