Vaccinated can falsely test positive for syphilis

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said that that false reactivity, or "false-positive," test results can occur when using the Bio-Rad Laboratories BioPlex 2200 Syphilis Total & RPR kit in some people who received a COVID-19 vaccine.

Based on information provided by the manufacturer, Bio-Rad Laboratories, Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR; non-treponemal) false reactivity was observed in some patients for at least five months following a COVID-19 vaccination, the FDA said.

www.mlo-online.com/diagnostics/assays/article/21250794/biorad-syphilis-test-kit-test-can-lead-to-false-positives-in-covid19-vaccinated-people

The clinical community is aware that false-reactive RPR test results have been observed in people with systemic infections unrelated to syphilis, such as tuberculosis, rickettsial diseases, and endocarditis. False reactive RPR testing has been previously observed following immunization (specifically following smallpox vaccine). False reactivity with RPR can also occur during pregnancy.

www.fda.gov/medical-devices/letters-health-care-providers/possible-false-rpr-reactivity-bioplex-2200-syphilis-total-rpr-test-kit-following-covid-19-vaccine