Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) Test for CSF

Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) Test for the determination of lipoidal antibody titres present in CSF as a result of infection by treponemes or other, nontreponemal diseases that cause tissue damage.

Serology

Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum

Syphilis Diagnostics and Vaccine Preventable Bacterial Diseases

• Syphilis

CSF – minimum of 0.5 mL. The same CSF sample is used in the VDRL-CSF test, the FTA-ABS on CSF test and molecular detection by conventional PCR.

Specimens may be subject to rejection if they are not the appropriate sample type, have insufficient volume, or are not accompanied by relevant patient information.

N/A

Store samples refrigerated or frozen until shipped for testing. Ship frozen samples on dry ice, and refrigerated samples on wet ice

Shipping of specimens shall be done by a TDG certified individual in accordance with TDG regulations. For additional information regarding classification of specimens for the purposes of shipping, consult either Part 2 Appendix 3 of the TDG Regulations or section 3.6.2 of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations as applicable.

Suspected of syphilis infection.

Completed Syphilis requisition form including sender lab name, address and telephone number. Patient identifier (specimen reference #), date of birth and sex. Date collected and test requested.

N/A

See reference below.

20 calendar days. Contact the laboratory prior to submission of urgent clinical specimens.

1. A Manual of Tests for Syphilis 9th Edition. Edited by S. A. Larsen, V. Pope, R. E. Johnson, E. J. Kennedy Jr. American Public Health Association. Washington, D.C. 1998.

Pathogen Safety Data Sheets: Infectious Substances – Treponema pallidum

Canadian Public Health Laboratory Network national syphilis laboratory testing recommendations: INTRODUCTION

Canadian Public Health Laboratory Network laboratory guidelines for the use of serological tests (excluding point-of-care tests) for the diagnosis of syphilis in Canada

Canadian Public Health Laboratory Network laboratory guidelines for the use of direct tests to detect syphilis in Canada

Canadian Public Health Laboratory Network laboratory guidelines for the diagnosis of neurosyphilis in Canada

Canadian Public Health Laboratory Network laboratory guidelines for congenital syphilis and syphilis screening in pregnant women in Canada

Canadian Public Health Laboratory Network laboratory guidelines for the use of point-of-care tests for the diagnosis of syphilis in Canada

Canadian Guidelines on Sexually Transmitted Infections

National Case Definition : Syphilis

Syphilis