Language Selection

Français

Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) Test for CSF

<<Return to Search Results

Accredited by the Standards Council of Canada to Laboratory no. 594 (ISO/IEC 17025)

Requisition Forms

Reference Details

Description:

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.

Test Category:
Serology
Pathogen:
Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum
Illnesses and Diseases:
  • Syphilis
Specimen:

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.

Collection Method:

N/A

Specimen Processing, Storage and Shipping:

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

Transportation of Dangerous Goods:

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.

Patient Criteria:

Suspected of syphilis infection.

Accompanying Documentation:

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.

Comments:

N/A

Methods and Interpretation of Results:

See reference below.

Turnaround Time:

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

Contact:
Phone #: (204) 789-2130
Fax: (204) 789-2018
References:
  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.
Related Information: