What does the VDRL test screen for?

The VDRL (Venereal Disease Research Laboratory) test is a non-treponemal test used primarily for screening syphilis. It detects the presence of antibodies that are produced in response to the Treponema pallidum bacterium, which causes syphilis. This test can be utilized for both screening and monitoring the treatment progress of syphilis, making it a valuable tool in the diagnosis and management of this sexually transmitted infection.

While the other options relate to other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), they are not screened for using the VDRL test. Gonorrhea, chlamydia, and herpes simplex virus have specific tests tailored to accurately identify those infections, such as nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) for gonorrhea and chlamydia and culture or PCR tests for herpes simplex virus. Therefore, the clarity of the VDRL's role as a syphilis screening tool is important for understanding its application in clinical settings.