Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR)
- Description
- The Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR) test is a semi-quantitative test for antibodies to cardiolipin (non-treponemal antibodies). The RPR is useful for the assessment of disease activity and treatment monitoring. The laboratory routinely tests for a prozone reaction on all sera. Not UKAS accredited.
- Clinical details
- Treponema pallidum serology, rather than RPR, is the routine syphilis screening test. Genital ulcers should be swabbed and tested for HSV and Trep. pallidum DNA via PCR. Suggest discuss all suspected syphilis cases with a sexual health specialist.
- Related condition
- Reference range
A sustained two bottle dilution (i.e. four-fold) increase in the RPR titre suggests reinfection or treatment failure
- Units
- Titre
- Synonyms
- RPR, VDRL, Syphilis, Non-treponemal
- Testing site
- Synnovis : Infection Sciences : Blackfriars Hub
- Laboratory
- Virology
- Sample type and volume required
- 2.5 - 5ml Yellow Top Serum Separation Tube (SST) Clotted Blood (for serum).
- Special sample instructions
Performed only on samples from GUM clinic patients with previously confirmed positive Syphils serology.
- Storage and transport
- Place labelled sample in a sealed sample bag and send to Central Specimen Reception (CSR). To prevent sample haemolysis please store samples in refrigerator if a delay in sending samples to CSR is unavoidable.
- Turnaround time
- 3 working days
- Contacts
Infection Sciences Department at St Thomas’ Hospital
Phone: 020 7188 8008
St Thomas’ Hospital
North Wing – 5th Floor
Westminster Bridge Road
London SE1 7EHSouth London Specialist Virology Centre
Phone – Results: 02032996155
Phone – Medical Advice: 02032996298
King’s College Hospital
Cheyne Wing, 2nd Floor (opposite Liver ITU)
Denmark Hill
London SE5 9RS
DX address: South London (PHL) Kings DX 6570200 Peckham 90SE