VDRL and TPHA tests in pregnant women and biological false positive for VDRL.

ABSTRACT

In 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983 and 1984, the author and colleagues performed serological tests for syphilis in 25,860, 27,971, 26,655 and 25,348 pregnant women respectively. The results obtained showed reactive VDRL at the rate 3,952, 3,800, 3,741, 3,500 and 3,156 cases in 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983 and 1984 respectively per 100,000 population,. When TPHA test, which is more specific for syphilis, was performed in the same groups of subjects, positive results was obtained at the rate of 2,394, 2,535, 2,416, 2,328 and 2,320 case per 100,000 populations respectively. The results of both tests performed during different years showed no statistically significant difference. False positive for VDRL in these pregnant women was obtained in 1.56, 1.26, 1.32, 1.17 and 0.84 percent of the studied cases in the testing years respectively; and such false positive VDRL in pregnant women is significant when VDRL is the only test available in the laboratory.