Test Catalog

Test Id : VDSF

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VDRL, Spinal Fluid

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Overview

Test Catalog

Useful For
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful

Aiding in the diagnosis of neurosyphilis

Reflex Tests
Lists tests that may or may not be performed, at an additional charge, depending on the result and interpretation of the initial tests.

Test Id Reporting Name Available Separately Always Performed
VDSFQ VDRL Titer, CSF No No

Testing Algorithm
Delineates situations when tests are added to the initial order. This includes reflex and additional tests.

If this test is positive, a VDRL titer will be performed at an additional charge.

 

For more information, see Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel Algorithm.

Method Name
A short description of the method used to perform the test

Flocculation/Agglutination

NY State Available
Indicates the status of NY State approval and if the test is orderable for NY State clients.

Yes

Reporting Name
Lists a shorter or abbreviated version of the Published Name for a test

VDRL, CSF

Aliases
Lists additional common names for a test, as an aid in searching

Neurosyphilis

Syphilis

Testing Algorithm
Delineates situations when tests are added to the initial order. This includes reflex and additional tests.

If this test is positive, a VDRL titer will be performed at an additional charge.

 

For more information, see Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel Algorithm.

Specimen Type
Describes the specimen type validated for testing

CSF

Specimen Required
Defines the optimal specimen required to perform the test and the preferred volume to complete testing

Collection Container/Tube: Sterile vial

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial

Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL

Collection Instructions: Submit specimen collected in vial 2, if possible. If not, note which vial from which the aliquot was obtained.

Special Instructions
Library of PDFs including pertinent information and forms related to the test

Specimen Minimum Volume
Defines the amount of sample necessary to provide a clinically relevant result as determined by the testing laboratory. The minimum volume is sufficient for one attempt at testing.

0.2 mL

Reject Due To
Identifies specimen types and conditions that may cause the specimen to be rejected

Gross hemolysis Reject
Gross lipemia Reject

Specimen Stability Information
Provides a description of the temperatures required to transport a specimen to the performing laboratory, alternate acceptable temperatures are also included

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
CSF Frozen (preferred) 14 days
Refrigerated 14 days

Useful For
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful

Aiding in the diagnosis of neurosyphilis

Testing Algorithm
Delineates situations when tests are added to the initial order. This includes reflex and additional tests.

If this test is positive, a VDRL titer will be performed at an additional charge.

 

For more information, see Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel Algorithm.

Clinical Information
Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test

The Veneral Diseases Research Laboratory (VDRL) assay is a nontreponemal serologic test for syphilis that uses a cardiolipin-cholesterol-lecithin antigen to detect reaginic antibodies. The VDRL test performed on cerebrospinal fluid can be used to diagnose neurosyphilis in patients with a prior history of syphilis infection.

 

The presence of neurosyphilis in untreated patients can be detected by the presence of pleocytosis, elevated protein, and a positive VDRL result.

Reference Values
Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.

Negative

Reference values apply to all ages.

Interpretation
Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results

A positive VDRL result on spinal fluid is highly specific for neurosyphilis.

 

A single negative VDRL result should not be used to exclude neurosyphilis and repeat testing on a new specimen may be necessary.

 

Positive results will be titered.

Cautions
Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances

VDRL testing on spinal fluid gives a high percentage of false-negative results.

Clinical Reference
Recommendations for in-depth reading of a clinical nature

1. Miller JN. Value and limitations of nontreponemal and treponemal tests in the laboratory diagnosis of syphilis. Clin Obstet Gynecol. 1975;18(1):191-203

2. Radolf JD, Tramont EC, Salazar JC. Syphilis (Treponema pallidum). In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Elsevier; 2020:2865-2892

Method Description
Describes how the test is performed and provides a method-specific reference

The VDRL antigen and spinal fluid are mixed on a 180 RPM rotator. The antigen, a cardiolipin-lecithin coated cholesterol particle, flocculates in the presence of reagin.(US Department of Health, Education and Welfare, National Communicable Diseases Center, Venereal Disease Program: Manual of Tests for Syphilis. Centers for Disease Control; 1969; Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Elsevier; 2020)

PDF Report
Indicates whether the report includes an additional document with charts, images or other enriched information

No

Day(s) Performed
Outlines the days the test is performed. This field reflects the day that the sample must be in the testing laboratory to begin the testing process and includes any specimen preparation and processing time before the test is performed. Some tests are listed as continuously performed, which means that assays are performed multiple times during the day.

Monday through Friday

Report Available
The interval of time (receipt of sample at Mayo Clinic Laboratories to results available) taking into account standard setup days and weekends. The first day is the time that it typically takes for a result to be available. The last day is the time it might take, accounting for any necessary repeated testing.

1 to 4 days

Specimen Retention Time
Outlines the length of time after testing that a specimen is kept in the laboratory before it is discarded

14 days

Performing Laboratory Location
Indicates the location of the laboratory that performs the test

Rochester

Fees
Several factors determine the fee charged to perform a test. Contact your U.S. or International Regional Manager for information about establishing a fee schedule or to learn more about resources to optimize test selection.

  • Authorized users can sign in to Test Prices for detailed fee information.
  • Clients without access to Test Prices can contact Customer Service 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
  • Prospective clients should contact their account representative. For assistance, contact Customer Service.

Test Classification
Provides information regarding the medical device classification for laboratory test kits and reagents. Tests may be classified as cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and used per manufacturer instructions, or as products that do not undergo full FDA review and approval, and are then labeled as an Analyte Specific Reagent (ASR) product.

This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.

CPT Code Information
Provides guidance in determining the appropriate Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code(s) information for each test or profile. The listed CPT codes reflect Mayo Clinic Laboratories interpretation of CPT coding requirements. It is the responsibility of each laboratory to determine correct CPT codes to use for billing.

CPT codes are provided by the performing laboratory.

86592

LOINC® Information
Provides guidance in determining the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) values for the order and results codes of this test. LOINC values are provided by the performing laboratory.

Test Id Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
VDSF VDRL, CSF 5290-2
Result Id Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
Applies only to results expressed in units of measure originally reported by the performing laboratory. These values do not apply to results that are converted to other units of measure.
9028 VDRL, CSF 5290-2

Test Setup Resources

Setup Files
Test setup information contains test file definition details to support order and result interfacing between Mayo Clinic Laboratories and your Laboratory Information System.

Excel | Pdf

Sample Reports
Normal and Abnormal sample reports are provided as references for report appearance.

Normal Reports | Abnormal Reports

SI Sample Reports
International System (SI) of Unit reports are provided for a limited number of tests. These reports are intended for international account use and are only available through MayoLINK accounts that have been defined to receive them.

SI Normal Reports | SI Abnormal Reports