Please Explain

Dear Dr.

These are my results from my test:

Syphilis

Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR) test with reflex to Quantitative RPR
RPR (Monitor) w/Refl Titer
FTA-ABS
non-reactive 1:1
NEGATIVE

I was told that the first test they ran I was "positive" and then they ran the second test and I was "negative"

1. Can you explain why I would be positive on one and no the other?
2. What does that mean the a Dr. when they see that result?
3. What could possibly cause 1 test to show the disease and the second to not???? Whta am I to belive?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Your result is a false positive test for syphilis. when we test for syphilis we typically do two tests because it is not uncommon for people to have falsely positive syphilis test results when they are tested by a single test. By doing an initial test followed by a second, unrelated test, we are able to make sure that when someone has two positive tests they have syphilis.  Only people who do not have syphilis have the sort of result you have in which thte first test is positive and the second test is negative.  

Often there is no explanation for why people have a false positive blood tests.  It can be bad luck.  More rarely, people have false positive results due to allergies, medication reactions or some other unrelated source of inflammation.

You do not have syphilis. this test is falsely positive.  Take care.  EWH

[yikesinma]

Thank you...So I tested (results shown previously) through Quest Diagnostics and yesterday my Dr. ordered a RDR which was the one I originally tested positive on.  I was told by quest in was a very "sensitive test" their second test was the: Fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FTA-ABS)  which they said was the gold standard of syphilis test. two questions:

1. Can I assume that I will test positive on the RDR again?
2. I saw on the blood work sheet that if + RDR perform VDRL?

I still really confused if I'm going to test positve or not?  

[Edward W Hook, MD]

1.  Some people with false positive tet results have them repeatedly, others do not,
2.  I cannot explain to why the tests that were ordered were ordered.

You do not have syphilis.  EWH