Syphilis

Syphilis 

VDRL

Microbiology

SYPHILIS

Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF) 

Serum

Sterile CSF conical tubes  for CSF (1 mL)

Red top vacutainer for Serum (1.5 mL)

Sterile CSF tube         Red top vacutainer tube

CSF Collection:

• Tube 1- Chemistry
• Tube 2- Cytology
• Tube 3- Microbiology (Microbiology is x4 tubes collected)
• Tube 4- Hematology 
• The last tube collected will be processed for the cell count

• Lumbar Puncture
  • Clean the puncture site with antiseptic solution and alcohol before needle insertion. Insert a needle with stylet at the L3-L4, L4-L5 or L5-LS interspace. When subarachnoid space is reached, remove stylet and spinal fluid will appear in the needle hub. Slowly drain CSF into sterile tubes.
• Shunt Fluid
  • Clean the reservoir site with antiseptic solution and alcohol. Collect fluid through the reservoir unit and place it in a sterile tube.
    Indicate method of collection on requisition.

Suggested Volumes:

• Routine Culture (C&S) - 2 mL
• Fungus Culture - 2 mL
• Mycobacterium Culture - 2 mL
• Virus Culture - 2 mL

Heat-inactivated, hemolysed, icteric, lipemic or microbial contaminated serum is not recommended for testing.

If CSF is contaminated with blood or serum during collection , it may produce a false positive result during testing. 

CSF : 2-3 times per week

Serum: Monday - Friday

• Always send the most turbid tube to Microbiology.
• Specimen description and total quantity will be recorded for the CSF
• The supernatant/extra specimen will be frozen in the -70'C freezer for approximately 6 months.
• CSF is tested by VDRL method
• Serum is tested by qualitative immunoassay (serology).

• Specimen should be transported to the laboratory ASAP after collection in biohazard bag.
• CSF specimen should be stored at 2-8°C within 3 days of collection. If longer storage is required, freeze specimen  at -20°C.
• CSF specimen should not be transported through the automated delivery system.
• The specimen should be delivered to the laboratory STAT, with no delay and should not be transported through the automated delivery system.
• CSF for culture is never to be stored in the refrigerator.

Offsite, Referral Laboratory