VDRL test
A blood test for syphilis (VDRL stands for Venereal Disease Research Laboratory) that detects an antibody that is present in the bloodstream when a patient has syphilis. A negative (nonreactive) VDRL is compatible with a person not having syphilis, but in the early stages of the disease, the VDRL often gives false negative results. Conversely, a false positive VDRL can be encountered in infectious mononucleosis, lupus, antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, hepatitis A, leprosy, malaria and, occasionally, pregnancy. See also syphilis; syphilis test, RPR.
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VDRL test n a flocculation test for syphilis employing cardiolipin in combination with lecithin and cholesterol
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[Venereal Disease Research Laboratory] the standard nontreponemal antigen serologic test for syphilis, a flocculation test on a slide using heat-inactivated serum and VDRL antigen. Positive tests are seen in about 70 per cent of cases in primary syphilis, 100 per cent in secondary syphilis, and 70 per cent in tertiary syphilis. There is a 20 to 40 per cent false positive rate.
Medical dictionary.
2011.