What is RPR Test and When it is Recommended?

RPR test, also known as rapid plasma reagin test, is a type of blood test used to look for antibodies to syphilis. In this regard, syphilis is a venereal disease caused by Treponema pallidum. Therefore, the RPR test procedure involves venepuncture, usually performed in a doctor's laboratory or chamber.

To learn more about the RPR test and its procedure, continue reading!

The RPR (Rapid Plasma Reagin) test is a non-treponemal, macroscopic, flocculation card test. As mentioned earlier, this is used to screen syphilis and works by detecting nonspecific antibodies the body produces to fight infection.

This test allows doctors to diagnose and initiate treatment along with specific antibody testing. This further reduces the chance of complications and the spread of syphilis.

Your doctor might recommend an RPR test in several instances:

• It is a straightforward way to diagnose the risk of contaminating syphilis
• If you have syphilis-like inflammation or rash
• It might be recommended during pregnancy. For instance, during delivery, the third trimester, or the first prenatal visit
• When a person is engaged in coitus with several partners
• If you have HIV
• Lastly, you may also require it if you are undergoing syphilis treatment

Doctors will collect your blood sample by using a method of venepuncture. In this regard, you must note that you don’t need to follow any special dietary requirements before the test. This includes staying away from a few foods or fasting.

Blood collection usually occurs in the laboratory or a doctor's chamber. A few of the procedures that might include during your test include the following:

Step 1: Your healthcare supervisor might provide you with a comfortable chair or suggest you lie down.

Step 2: Then, they will tie a rubber tube in your arm to make the veins visible. After that, they will rub alcohol to cleanse the spot to inject the needle.

Step 3: After collecting the blood sample, they will destroy the needle and hold on to the punctured place. In some cases, they might also offer you a bandage.

RPR test usually gives rapid results. Regardless, the procedure of this test includes the following:

Step 1: First, they will place 0.05 ml of blood plasma on an 18 mm circle of an RPR test card.

Step 2: Then will spread the blood to cover the circle.

Step 3: After that, they will drop a few drops of antigen suspension to mix it.

Step 4: Then to observe the flocculation, medical professionals rotate the card for 5 to 8 minutes.

Step 5: If there are antibodies, the agglutinates will display black clumps. For negative results, the mixture will stay grey and uniform.

Although there are no such risks of RPR test in general, there might be a few related to venipuncture. For instance, a few patients might complain about bleeding, inflammation or bruising after blood collection. However, this is temporary and will abate after the application of an ice pack. Additionally, a few also complain about feeling dizzy. Likewise, this is also temporary, but you must consult your doctor if it lasts more than a few minutes.

Hence, the RPR test procedure is rapid and provides results within an hour. Also, you must note that the sensitivity level of this test might be lower for primary syphilis. Hence, this test is most effective in the secondary stage of syphilis.