VDRL, CSF
Also known as: Neurosyphilis, Spinal Fluid VDRL, Syphilis
Use
Detects non-treponemal (reagin) antibodies in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for evaluation of possible neurosyphilis. A positive or reactive result is suggestive of neurosyphilis and may warrant further diagnostic correlation with clinical presentation and other serologic tests.
Special Instructions
Specimen collected in sterile screw‑capped container; refrigerate after collection. Reflex to titer (CPT 86593) may be performed if initial screen is reactive. Performing laboratory is Quest Diagnostics (Chantilly, VA).
Limitations
Non‑treponemal tests can yield biological false‑positives in conditions such as lupus, mononucleosis, malaria, viral pneumonia, drug abuse, and other treponemal diseases (e.g., yaws, pinta, bejel). A reactive CSF VDRL should not be used in isolation—interpretation requires correlation with other clinical and laboratory findings.
New York Approved
Methodology
Immunoassay (Other)
Biomarkers
Result Turnaround Time
1-2 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Cerebrospinal Fluid
Volume
1.0 mL
Minimum Volume
0.2 mL
Container
sterile screw‑capped plastic vial
Collection Instructions
Collect in a sterile, screw‑capped container; refrigerate after collection.
Storage Instructions
Refrigerated (2–8 °C)
Causes for Rejection
Hemolysis, lipemia, contamination
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | 4 days |
| Refrigerated | 14 days |
| Frozen | 60 days |
Other tests from different labs that may be relevant