False-positive reaction to VDRL test with prozone phenomena. Association with lymphosarcoma

Abstract

A patient with lymphosarcoma had a VDRL test reactive at 1:256. A prozone phenomenon was also present. The nontreponemal test result was shown to be a false-positive reaction by nonreactive Treponema pallidum immobilization and fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption tests. High-titer serologic tests for syphilis are uncommon, and prozone reactions are previously unrecorded in the false-positive reactor.