Causes of False-Positive Nontreponemal (RPR or VRDL) tests

INFECTIOUS DISEASES

False-positive nontreponemal test results can be associated with various medical conditions and factors unrelated to syphilis, including:

  • Other infections (e.g., HIV),
  • Autoimmune conditions,
  • Immunizations,
  • Pregnancy,
  • injection-drug use,
  • Older age.

Therefore, persons with a reactive nontreponemal test should always receive a treponemal test to confirm the diagnosis of syphilis.

Reference

https://www.cdc.gov/std/tg2015/syphilis.htm

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