Venereal disease research laboratory test

A negative test is normal and means that no antibodies to syphilis have been detected. The screening test is most likely be positive in secondary and latent syphilis. During primary and tertiary syphilis this test may be falsely negative.

A positive test result may mean you have syphilis. If the test is positive, the next step is to confirm the results with an FTA-ABS test, which is a more specific syphilis test.

The VDRL test's ability to detect syphilis depends on the stage of the disease. The test's sensitivity to detect syphilis nears 100% during the middle stages; it is less sensitive during the earlier and later stages.

Some conditions may cause a false positive test, including:

• HIV
• Lyme disease
• Certain types of pneumonia
• Malaria
• Systemic lupus erythematosus

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VDRL test Overview

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VDRL test Risks

Review Date: 12/02/2009
Reviewed By: A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Greg Juhn, MTPW, David R. Eltz. Previously reviewed by Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, Washington; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine (7/29/2009).

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