Syphilis VDRL (CSF)
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| WSLH Department: | CDD - Communicable Disease Division |
| WSLH Test Code: | SS02018 |
| Day(s) Performed: | Test is run twice weekly (Tuesdays and Fridays) |
| Turn-around Time: | 1-4 days |
| Recommended Uses: | Diagnosis of neurosyphilis. VDRL-CSF is the only standardized test for neurosyphilis. |
| Pre-approval: | N |
| Contraindications: | |
| Additional Tests Performed: |
| Preparation for Collection: | |
| Specimen Requirements: | 1-3 ml CSF. Store refrigerated at 2-8 °C. Patient specimen must be received within 5 days of collection. |
| Collection Instructions: | |
| Collection Kit/Container: |
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| Requisition Form: |
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| Required Information: | Laboratory regulations require the following minimum information to be provided on the requisition form for a specimen to be accepted for testing: Patient name or unique identifier, date and time of collection, patient date of birth and sex, specimen type/site of collection, test request(s), clinician name and UPIN, and address for reporting results. Please be certain that name/identifier on the form matches that on the specimen label. |
| Rejection Criteria: | Specimens with traces of blood (red blood cells, pink or light red) are unsuitable for testing. |
| Specimen Handling: | Specimens must be stored refrigerated (2-8 °C) and transported with frozen cold packs. |
| Packaging Requirements: | |
| Courier Information: | This test is not eligible for fee-exempt courier service. |
| Specimen Receiving Hours: | Monday-Friday 7:45 AM - 4:30 PM, Saturday 7:45 AM - 12:00 PM |
| Results Include: | Non-Reactive or Reactive. Quantitative titer for all positives. |
| Limitations: | A negative result can occur in some neurosyphilis patients. |
| Additional Tests Recommended: | The Syphilis Diagnostic Algorithm (SS02016) (serum only) is recommended for all suspected neurosyphilis cases. |
| Additional Comments: | Specimens should not contain particulate matter, this could interfere with the assay. |
| Methodology: | Microscopic Flocculation |
| Includes: | Quantitative VDRL test for nontreponemal (reagin) antibodies in spinal fluid; titer on reactives. |
| Regulatory Compliance: |
| CPT Code: | 86593 |
| Price: | $35.00 |
| Fee Exempt Eligible: | Yes, with DHS approval only, 608-267-9003 |
| Billing and Revenue Office: | 1-800-862-1065 arbill@slh.wisc.edu |