Test ID: RPRT
Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR), Response to Therapy, Serum
Secondary ID 
A test code used for billing and in test definitions created prior to November 2011
NY State Approved Indicates the status of NY State approval and if the test is orderable for NY State clients.
Useful For Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful
Determining the current disease status and evaluating response to therapy for syphilis
Method Name A short description of the method used to perform the test
Flocculation
Reporting Name A shorter/abbreviated version of the Published Name for a test; an abbreviated test name
Aliases Lists additional common names for a test, as an aid in searching
Rapid Plasma Reagin Test (RPR)
Syphilis G
Treponema pallidum (T. pallidum)
Syphilis Serology (RPR)
Specimen Type Describes the specimen type needed for testing
Specimen Required Defines the optimal specimen. This field describes the type of specimen required to perform the test and the preferred volume to complete testing. The volume allows automated processing, fastest throughput and, when indicated, repeat or reflex testing.
Container/Tube:
Preferred: Red top
Acceptable: Serum gel
Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL
Specimen Minimum Volume Defines the amount of specimen required to perform an assay once, including instrument and container dead space. Submitting the minimum specimen volume makes it impossible to repeat the test or perform confirmatory or perform reflex testing. In some situations, a minimum specimen volume may result in a QNS (quantity not sufficient) result, requiring a second specimen to be collected.
Reject Due To Identifies specimen types and conditions that may cause the specimen to be rejected
| Hemolysis | Mild OK; Gross reject |
| Lipemia | Mild OK; Gross reject |
| Icterus | NA |
| Other | NA |
Specimen Stability Information Provides a description of the temperatures required to transport a specimen to the laboratory. Alternate acceptable temperature(s) are also included.
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Serum | Refrigerated (preferred) | 14 days |
| Frozen | 14 days |
Clinical Information Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test
Syphilis is a disease caused by infection with the spirochete Treponema pallidum. The infection is systemic and the disease is characterized by periods of latency. These features, together with the fact that Treponema pallidum cannot be isolated in culture, mean that serologic techniques play a major role in the diagnosis and follow-up of treatment for syphilis.
Patients with primary or secondary syphilis should be reexamined clinically and serologically 6 months and 12 months following treatment. Typically, rapid plasma reagin titers decrease following successful treatment but this may occur over a period of months to years.
Reference Values Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.
Negative
Interpretation Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results
Treatment response is generally indicated by a 4-fold (2-tube dilution) reduction in rapid plasma reagin (RPR) titer (eg, 1:32 to 1:8). For proper interpretation of RPR results, titers should be obtained using the same testing method and, preferably, at the same testing laboratory.
Failure of nontreponemal test titers to decline 4-fold within 6 months after therapy for primary or secondary syphilis might be indicative of treatment failure. Persons for whom titers remain serofast should be reevaluated for HIV infection.
Cautions Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances
This test should not be used as a primary diagnostic approach for syphilis. For patients with suspected, undiagnosed syphilis, a serum specimen should be submitted for a treponemal-specific antibody test (eg, SYPHG/81814 Syphilis IgG Antibody with Reflex RPR, Serum).
This test cannot be used for testing spinal fluid specimens.
Biological false-positive reactions with cardiolipin-type antigens have been reported in disease such as infectious mononucleosis, leprosy, malaria, lupus erythematosus, vaccinia, and viral pneumonia. Pregnancy, autoimmune diseases, and narcotic addictions may give false-positives. Pinta, yaws, bejel, and other treponemal diseases may also produce positive results with this test.
Clinical Reference Provides recommendations for further in-depth reading of a clinical nature
1. Workowski KA, Berman S: Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines. MMWR Morb Mortal Weekly Rep 2006 Aug 4;(55);22-30
2. Miller JN: Value and limitations of nontreponemal and treponemal tests in the laboratory diagnosis of syphilis. Clin Obstet Gynecol 1975 Mar 18;18(1);191-203
Method Description Describes how the test is performed and provides a method-specific reference
The rapid plasma reagin is a macroscopic screening assay done with unheated serum. Reagin reacts with nontreponemal antigen containing colloidal charcoal particles. This reaction results in a visual flocculation of the black particles against the white card background. The test yields a positive or negative result, and all positive samples are titered to determine the highest reactive dilution.(Huber TW, Storms S, Young P, et al: Reactivity of microhemagglutination, fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption, Venereal Disease Research Laboratory, and rapid plasma reagin tests in primary syphilis. J Clin Microbiol, 1983 Mar;17[3]:405-409)
Day(s) and Time(s) Test Performed Outlines the days and times the test is performed. This field reflects the day and time the sample must be in the testing laboratory to begin the testing process and includes any specimen preparation and processing time required before the test is performed. Some tests are listed as continuously performed, which means assays are performed several times during the day.
Monday through Saturday; 9 a.m.
Analytic Time Defines the amount of time it takes the laboratory to setup and perform the test. This is defined in number of days. The shortest interval of time expressed is "same day/1 day," which means the results may be available the same day that the sample is received in the testing laboratory. One day means results are available 1 day after the sample is received in the laboratory.
Maximum Laboratory Time Defines the maximum time from specimen receipt at Mayo Medical Laboratories until the release of the test result
Specimen Retention Time Outlines the length of time after testing that a specimen is kept in the laboratory before it is discarded
Performing Laboratory Location The location of the laboratory that performs the test
Test Classification Provides information regarding the medical device classification for laboratory test kits and reagents. Tests may be classified as cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and used per manufacturer's instructions, or as products that do not undergo full FDA review and approval, and are then labeled as an Analyte Specific Reagent (ASR), Investigation Use Only (IUO) product, or a Research Use Only (RUO) product.
CPT Code Information Provides guidance in determining the appropriate Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code(s) information for each test or profile. The listed CPT codes reflect Mayo Medical Laboratories interpretation of CPT coding requirements. It is the responsibility of each laboratory to determine correct CPT codes to use for billing.
86592
LOINC® Code Information Provides guidance in determining the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) values for the result codes returned for this test or profile.
| Result ID | Reporting Name | LOINC Code |
|---|---|---|
| 31696 | RPR, Response to Therapy, S | 20507-0 |
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