Syphilis
Also known as: Venereal disease research laboratory; VDRL; Rapid plasma reagin; RPR; Fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption test; FTA-ABS; Treponema pallidum particle agglutination assay; TPPA; Microhemagglutination assay; MHA-TP; Darkfield microscopy
Formal name: Syphilis detection test
Related tests: Hepatitis C; HIV antibody test
At a Glance
Why Get Tested?
To screen for or diagnose an infection with the bacterium Treponema pallidum, which causes the sexually transmitted disease (STD) syphilis
When to Get Tested?
If you have symptoms of a syphilis infection, if you have another STD, or are pregnant
Sample Required?
A scraping from a chancre in the affected area, a blood sample from a vein in your arm, or cerebrospinal fluid taken via a spinal tap, depending on the test method being used
Test Preparation Needed?
None
