Syphilis serology (VDRL)

VRDL test

Syphilis (Latin: syphilis) - an infectious disease usually transmitted sexually, caused by Treponema pallidum of the family Spirochaetaceae.

The incubation period of the disease ranges from 9 days to 3 months. Syphilis is a perennial disease, periodically symptomatic or asymptomatic. During the period of primary infection, ulceration may appear at the site of penetration of the microorganism, in wtral syphilis there is a rash on the skinral, mucosal­skinral lesions and enlargement of lymph nodesral. At the tertiary syphilis stage, there are heart and eye symptoms, hearing disorders.

Infection in the latent – asymptomatic stage is detected by serological testing. Direct diagnosis is based on the detection of the bacteria in biological material, indirect diagnosis is based on serological tests detecting antibodies to the antigens of the pale spirochete.

Tests that detect antibodies to the antigens of the pale spirochete

Classical tests so-called flocculation tests:

• Wasserman's test,
• VDRL (Veneral Disease Research Laboratory) test, and USR (Unheated Serum Reagin)

These tests detect IgG and IgM anti-lipid antibodies. The sensitivity of these testss varies, depending on the period of the disease. Antibodies detected by these tests can also appear in the course of other diseasesb such as infections with other spirochetes, autoimmune diseases like rheumatic diseases or collagenoses.

Higher sensitivity and specificity are characterized by spirochete tests, for example, Fluorescent Treponemal Antibody (FTA), Fluorescent Treponemal Antibody Absorbtion Test (FTA-ABS), Western blot tests.

Diagnosis of syphilis infection is critical in detecting the disease and preventing its progression.

• Test results are available within 3 working days.
• It is possible to collect them at the reception desk of any Medicover Centre.