RPR
Medical abbreviation · Laboratory Test
| Stands for | Rapid plasma reagin |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
RPR stands for Rapid plasma reagin, a laboratory test abbreviation.
Nontreponemal syphilis test that detects antibodies to cardiolipin released during infection, reported as reactive or nonreactive with a titer such as 1:32. Titers track disease activity: a fourfold fall after treatment indicates response, and a fourfold rise suggests reinfection or treatment failure.
Example: RPR reactive 1:64, TP-PA positive: secondary syphilis, benzathine penicillin given.
Usage notes
A reactive RPR must be confirmed with a treponemal test (TP-PA, FTA-ABS or an immunoassay), because false positives occur in pregnancy, lupus, antiphospholipid syndrome and other conditions. Many labs now use the "reverse sequence" algorithm, starting with an automated treponemal test and adding the RPR when positive.
Related abbreviations
More laboratory test abbreviations
- RDW – Red cell distribution width
- Retic – Reticulocyte count
- RF – Rheumatoid factor
- RFP – Renal function panel
- Rh – Rhesus (D antigen)
- RI – Reference interval
- SG – Specific gravity
- SGOT – Serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase
- SGPT – Serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase
- SPEP – Serum protein electrophoresis
- SST – Serum separator tube
- T&C – Type and crossmatch
See all 135 laboratory test abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.