What does RPR stand for?

In addition to tissue biopsy, lab testing such as angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) for sarcoidosis, (1) c-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (c-ANCA) to rule out Wegener granulomatosis, rapid plasma reagin (RPR) for syphilis, (1,4) Tzanck smear and viral culture to evaluate for herpes, (5) and other appropriate cultures and serologic tests to rule out other infectious causes should be considered.

Syphilis was diagnosed by using the rapid plasma reagin (RPR) (Becton Dickinson, Mountain View, CA) and Treponema pallidum hemagglutination (TPHA) (Sanofi Pasteur, Chaska, MN) tests.

The results of a preliminary laboratory work-up--including measurements of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, antineurrophil cytoplasmic antibody level, fluorescent treponemal antibody level, and rheumatoid factor level--were all negative, and her rapid plasma reagin test was nonreactive.

Tests for human immunodeficiency virus and borreliosis were negative, and her rapid plasma reagin test was nonreactive.

Rapid plasma reagin (RPR) was positive at a titer of 1:128 and was confirmed by a fluorescent treponemal antibody test.

1) We report a case of secondary syphilis presenting with HIV coinfection which demonstrated a false negative reaction to the serum rapid plasma reagin (RPR) test, and discuss the expected increased incidence of the prozone effect of syphilis testing in HIV-infected patients.

If this more sensitive test is done to test for syphilis antibodies that are leaked into the CSF from the spinal tap, why cannot an Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR) screen be done on the patent's serum and thus save resources and time on a very low yield procedure?

To establish the frequency of necrotizing funisitis in congenital syphilis, we conducted a prospective descriptive study of maternal syphilis in Bolivia by testing 1,559 women at delivery with rapid plasma reagin (RPR).