SEROLOGICAL TESTING RPR Flashcards
_______ is a non-treponemal test for serologic detection of the antibody Reagin, which is produced in response to an infection of syphilis caused by Treponema pallidum.
Rapid Plasma Reagin
Reagin is a phospholipid, which is produced in patients infected with _____________, the causative agent of ______, and acts like an antigen.
Treponema pallidum
syphilis
Reagin is found in the serum/plasma of patients with
syphilis
True/False
The vehicle or “antigen” used is a carbon charcoal particle to see results microscopically
FALSE
MACROSCOPICALLY
Rapid Plasma Reagin test
After antigen is mixed with a serum/plasma sample:
If flocculation is present, the test is
Positive
Rapid Plasma Reagin test
After antigen is mixed with a serum/plasma sample:
If no flocculation is present, the test is
non-reactive (negative)
___________ is the confirmatory test for RPR testing.
Fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorbed test (FTA-ABS)
Fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorbed test (FTA-ABS) is done how?
Dead T. pallidum is fixed on a slide, and patient’s serum is added
POS/NEG
Fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorbed test (FTA-ABS)
Slide is studied under an ultraviolet microscope shows fluorescence
positive.
POS/NEG
Fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorbed test (FTA-ABS)
-shows no fluoresce
NEGATIVE
What tube do you use when drawing blood for an RPR?
- Serum
- Plasma
in tubes
- without anticoagulant (Red/SST) for serum
- with anticoagulant (Purple top) for plasma
After centrifugation, serum should be
clear and non-hemolyzed
What type of needles are used with the RPR card test kit?
20 Ga, galvanized needle, blunt tip
What type of syringe for the RPR test kit?
1 milliliter (mL) tuberculin syringe
Prior to testing RPR
(a) Centrifuge the specimen (serum or plasma) to _______ cellular elements.
(b) Mix the antigen suspension, prior to opening ampule, by shaking vigorously for ______
(c) Attach the needle to the hub of the dispensing bottle. Ensure the antigen is ______ the break line
(d) Snap off the top of the ampule and draw all of the antigen into the dispensing bottle
(a) sediment
(b) 10- 15 seconds
(c) below
Testing Procedure RPR
Use the dispenser to transfer the specimen to the card, dispense how many drops?
1 drop
True/False
Testing Procedure RPR
Add 3 drops of antigen to each specimen and controls to be tested with the dispensing bottle.
FALSE
1 Drop of antigen
Testing Procedure RPR
Place test card and controls on the rotator for ______ minutes at ______ revolutions per minute (rpm).
8 minutes
100 RPM
Testing Procedure RPR
Read the reaction at the end of how long?
8 minutes
Testing Procedure RPR
Rotate and tilt card briefly, by hand (3 or 4 to-and fro-motion). This helps to differentiate what?
non-reactive from weakly reactive results.
True/False
Testing Procedure RPR
Examine test card. Read MICROSCOPICALLY, under a high intensity lamp or strong daylight
FALSE
read MACROSCOPICALLY
RPR results are reported as?
either reactive or non-reactive
Testing Procedure RPR
Reactive test results shows flocculation ranging from:
(a) Slight but definite
(b) Minimum to moderate
(c) Marked and intense
Reactive Rapid Plasma Reagin tests must be confirmed with a what?
Fluorescent Treponemal Antibody Absorption test (FTA-ABS).
RPR Quality Control
Divided into two sections.
1) Equipment quality control.
2) Reagent quality control.
Quality control equipment includes….
Mechanical rotator: Calibrated to 100 rpm
Antigen needle: Calibrated to 60 drops per 1 mL
True/False
Control reagents are solutions that contain the same constituents as those being tested.
True
Control reagents
For Rapid Plasma Reagin use what?
reactive, weak-reactive, and non-reactive controls.
True/False
Control reagents are treated as patients and run every time an unknown sample
is tested.
True
