The test is based on an immunological principle: antibodies are formed in the blood of an infected person that interact with treponema antigens. The reaction of this interaction (complement fixation) is an indicator of a positive or negative result.<\/p>\n
Despite its age, RW is still in use today \u2014 although supplemented by more modern methods, it is still used in screening and during mandatory medical examinations.<\/p>\n
In what cases is RW prescribed?<\/h2>\n
A doctor may recommend RW in the following situations:<\/p>\n
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Planned hospitalization or surgery<\/strong> \u2014 pre-operative check.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Pregnancy<\/strong> \u2014 RW is included in the list of mandatory screening tests for every pregnant woman.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Registration of a medical record<\/strong> \u2014 in the fields of education, nutrition, and healthcare.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Suspicion of syphilis<\/strong> - if there are ulcers, rashes, enlarged lymph nodes.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Follow-up after syphilis treatment<\/strong> \u2014 RW helps to assess the dynamics.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
RW may also be prescribed for asymptomatic disease or based on the results of other tests indicating a possible infection.<\/p>\n
How the RW test is done: step by step<\/h2>\n
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Patient preparation<\/strong>: do not eat for 8\u201312 hours, do not smoke, do not drink alcohol.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Blood sampling<\/strong> from a vein (most often from the ulnar vein).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Laboratory research<\/strong>: blood serum is mixed with a reagent containing antigen.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Reaction assessment<\/strong>: depending on the formation of immune complexes, the result is determined.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
RW results are usually available within 1\u20132 days.<\/p>\n
![\"laboratory](\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/themes\/woodmart\/images\/lazy.svg\")
<\/p>\nHow to prepare for an RW reaction<\/h2>\n
\n\n\n\n
\n \nPreparatory step<\/th>\n Explanation<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n Starvation<\/strong><\/td>\n Last meal \u2013 no less than 8 hours ago<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Alcohol<\/strong><\/td>\n Completely banned in 24\u201348 hours<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Physical activity<\/strong><\/td>\n It is worth limiting intense exercise.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Medicine<\/strong><\/td>\n Inform your doctor about taking hormones, antibiotics, immunomodulators<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Infections<\/strong><\/td>\n Acute viral illnesses may cause a false-positive result.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n \n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nFollowing these rules helps avoid distortion of the result.<\/p>\n
What do the RW analysis results mean?<\/h2>\n
RW can be:<\/p>\n
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Negative (\u2013)<\/strong> \u2014 no antibodies to treponema were detected. Most likely, there is no infection.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Questionable<\/strong> \u2014 the reaction is weak or uncertain. Repeated examination or confirmation by another method is required.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Positive (+, ++, +++, ++++)<\/strong> \u2014 different degrees of positive reaction. The more \u00abpluses\u00bb, the more intense the body's response to the pathogen.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
But it is important: Positive RW is not always syphilis!<\/strong> This may be a false result due to:<\/p>\n
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pregnancy<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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tuberculosis<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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viral hepatitis<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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chronic liver diseases<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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systemic connective tissue diseases<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
In such cases, the doctor will definitely prescribe additional specific tests<\/strong>, for example:<\/p>\n
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ELISA (IgM, IgG to Treponema)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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RPR (Rapid Plasma Reagin)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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TPHA (Treponema Pallidum Hemagglutination Assay)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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FTA-ABS (fluorescent antibody test)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
RW vs. modern methods: which is better and when<\/h2>\n
\n\n\n\n
\n \nMethod<\/th>\n Sensitivity<\/th>\n Advantages<\/th>\n Disadvantages<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n RW<\/strong><\/td>\n ~70%<\/td>\n simple, cheap<\/td>\n false positive results, low specificity<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n RPR, VDRL<\/strong><\/td>\n 80\u201385%<\/td>\n rapid screening, quantitative assessment<\/td>\n not always accurate in later stages<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n ELISA<\/strong><\/td>\n 95\u201398%<\/td>\n specific antibodies, stage detection<\/td>\n more expensive<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n TPHA, FTA-ABS<\/strong><\/td>\n >99%<\/td>\n confirmation of diagnosis, minimum errors<\/td>\n do not evaluate the activity of the process<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
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![\"laboratory](\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/syphilis-test.jpg\")
<\/p>\n