The VDRL test, which stands for Venereal Disease Research Laboratory, is a blood test used to diagnose syphilis, or read, which is a sexually transmitted disease. In addition, this test may also be requested to monitor the disease in those who already have syphilis, which is a disease initially characterized by the presence of sores in the area that does not hurt. See what the symptoms of syphilis are.
In some cases, the syphilis test can give a false positive result, which may mean that the person does not have syphilis, but may have other conditions, such as leprosy, tuberculosis, or hepatitis, for example.
- The VDRL test should be done before you become pregnant and also every trimester of pregnancy.
- As it is a disease that can cause serious health complications.
The VDRL test is done by a simple blood test, in which a small blood sample is taken and tested in the laboratory.
Fasting is not necessary for the test, although some doctors or laboratories indicate a fast of at least 4 hours to perform the test. The test result is published according to the laboratory and can be published in 24 hours or 7 days.
The result of the VDRL test is expressed in titles: the higher the title, the more positive the test result. Basically, the result of the VDRL test may be:
If the result is negative, it means that the person has never come into contact with the bacteria responsible for syphilis and is not cured.
The positive result usually indicates that the person has syphilis, but there is also the possibility of false positive results due to cross-reactions that can occur and, in these cases, this may mean that the person may have other diseases such as brucellosis, leprosy. , hepatitis, malaria, asthma, tuberculosis, cancer and autoimmune diseases.
The result is considered positive when the title starts at 1/16. This title means that even by diluting the blood 16 times, it is still possible to identify antibodies.
Lower titers, such as 1/1, 1/2, 1/4, and 1/8, indicate that syphilis is possible, because after one, two, four or eight dilutions, antibodies could still be detected. As this is a possibility, it is important to return to the doctor for a confirmation exam, as this title may be the result of a cross-reaction, i.e. a false positive. Low titers are also found in primary syphilis, where antibodies circulate in the blood at low concentrations.
Titles above 1/16 indicate that you have syphilis and therefore should go to your doctor to start treatment quickly.
Watch the video below for symptoms, mode of transmission, diagnosis, and treatment of syphilis:
The VDRL test during pregnancy should be done at the beginning of prenatal care and should be repeated in the second trimester, even if the result is negative, as the baby may have neurological problems if the mother has syphilis. See what the risks of syphilis are during pregnancy.
If the result is positive, the pregnanter can transmit the disease to the baby through the placenta or genital canal, otherwise the disease is not properly identified and treated.
If a woman is diagnosed with pregnant syphilis, the VDRL test should be performed monthly until the end of pregnancy to assess a woman’s response to treatment to find out if the bacteria responsible for syphilis have been removed.
Treatment of syphilis is usually done with penicillin injections based on the gynecologist, obstetrician or infectious disease. Learn more about treating syphilis, signs of improvement, worsening, and complications.