The Syphilis Rapid Test Cassette (Whole Blood/Serum/Plasma) can be performed using whole blood (from venipuncture or fingerstick), serum, or plasma.
To collect Finger stick Whole Blood specimens:
Wash the patient’s hand with soap and warm water or clean with an alcohol swab. Allow it to dry.
Massage the hand without touching the puncture site by rubbing down the hand toward the fingertip of the middle or ring finger.
Puncture the skin with a sterile lancet and wipe away the first sign of blood.
Gently rub the hand from wrist to palm to finger to form a rounded drop of blood over the puncture site.
Add the Finger stick Whole Blood specimen to the test by using a capillary tube:
Touch the end of the capillary tube to the blood until it is filled to approximately 80 µL. Avoid air bubbles.
Place the bulb onto the top end of the capillary tube, then squeeze the bulb to dispense the whole blood into the specimen area of the test cassette.
Add the Finger stick Whole Blood specimen to the test by using hanging drops:
Position the patient’s finger so that the drop of blood is just above the specimen area of the test cassette.
Allow two hanging drops of finger stick whole blood to fall into the center of the specimen area on the test cassette, or move the patient’s finger so that the hanging drop touches the center of the specimen area. Avoid touching the finger directly to the specimen area.
Separate serum or plasma from blood as soon as possible to avoid hemolysis. Use only clear, non-hemolyzed specimens.
Testing should be performed immediately after the specimens have been collected. Do not leave the specimens at room temperature for prolonged periods. Serum and plasma specimens may be stored at 2–8°C for up to 3 days. For long-term storage, specimens should be kept below -20°C. Whole blood collected by venipuncture should be stored at 2–8°C if the test is to be run within 2 days of collection. Do not freeze whole blood specimens. Whole blood collected by fingerstick should be tested immediately.
Bring specimens to room temperature prior to testing. Frozen specimens must be completely thawed and mixed well before testing. Specimens should not be frozen and thawed repeatedly.
If specimens are to be shipped, they should be packed in compliance with local regulations covering the transportation of etiologic agents.
