Alert

Effective Jan. 5, 2026: Temporary Age-Based Visitor Restrictions at UNC Health for all inpatient and waiting areas throughout its inpatient hospitals.

Read More

VDRL, CSF

Titer reflexed on Positive Results

Tube Type = Sterile with Blue Screw Top

Sample Type

Test ID LAB859
EPIC Order VDRL CSF
CPT Code(s) 86592 (86593 if appropriate)
Group/Individual Test Individual
Laboratory Immunology 
Tube Station 30
Specimen   0.5 mL CSF, Tube #2 or #3
Availability  Routine:  twice a week
Turnaround Time           
 Routine: 5 days
Reference Range    Normal: Nonreactive
Comments
  • VDRL is a nontreponemal serologic test for syphilis that uses a cardiolipin-cholesterol-lecithin antigen to detect reaginic antibodies. The VDRL test performed on cerebrospinal fluid can be used to diagnose neurosyphilis in patients with a prior history of syphilis infection. While the CSF VDRL is specific for neurosyphilis, it is not sensitive. Thus, a negative result does not rule out CNS involvement.

Reviewed by J. Carr on November 06, 2025

UNC Hospitals
McLendon Clinical Laboratories
101 Manning Drive
Chapel Hill, NC 27514