Question

1. Briefly state the principle of the Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR) test for syphilis.

Answer 1

Answer

This is a presumptive seriological screening test for syphilis.

It is a screening test for sexually transmitted disease like syphilis

The serum of the syphilis patients contains a non specific anti lipd anti body that is known as reagin,which is not found in normal serum.

This test helps to detect the abnormal anti lipid antibody.

It is a simple test which carry around 8minutes for detection of abnormal anti lipid antibody in human serum.

Principles

1.​​​​​The RPR test is a non triponemal slide agglutination test for the qualitative and semi quantitative detection of plasma reagin In human serum.

2.The carbon particles coated with lipid complex are agglutinated when mixed with sample contain reagins.

3.The known RPR antigen consist of cardiolipin,lecithin,cholesterol bound charcoal particles ,which makes reaction visible.

4.If the patient had syphilis,the anti lipid anti lipid antibodies in his or her serum will cross react with the known RPR Lipid antigen giving a visible climbing of the charcole particles.