Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR), Response to Therapy SOFT RPR2T/10590 EPIC LAB4876

Dear Doctor,

 This test is used to follow treatment response in patients being treated for syphilis infection.  This assay should not be used to screen for syphilis infection.  To screen for syphilis infection, a reflex cascade that includes both a treponema- specific assay and a RPR (Syphilis Ab w/ Reflex) should be utilized. SOFT = SYPAB/ 10428, EPIC = LAB4831  Reference Value = Negative

This test is used to determine the current disease status and evaluate response to therapy for syphilis. If this test is positive, RPR titer will be performed. 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 T 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, RPR titers decrease following successful treatment, but this may occur over a period of months to years. Treatment response is generally indicated by a 4-fold (2-tube dilution) reduction in RPR titer (eg, from 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 may be indicative of treatment failure. Patients whose titers remain serofast should be reevaluated for HIV infection.

Please, call the Sparrow Laboratory Client Services Department at 517-371-9500 if you have any questions.

Walid T. Khalife, Ph.D., M.S. Director, Medical & Scientific Affairs Medical Director, Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Diagnostics Director, Point of Care Office 517-364-2170