False + ve VDRL, is seen in all except:
**Question:** False + ve VDRL, is seen in all except:
A. Syphilis
B. Tuberculosis
C. Hepatitis
D. HIV
**Core Concept:**
The VDRL (Venereal Disease Research Laboratory) test is a non-treponemal test used to screen for syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. False-positive results can occur due to non-specific reactions in certain conditions, but the specific condition being tested for is syphilis.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right:**
The correct answer is D. HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), as the VDRL test is non-specific and can generate false positives in cases of HIV infection. HIV causes a similar immune response, leading to a false-positive result on non-treponemal tests like VDRL.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect:**
A. Syphilis (C) is the condition being tested for with the VDRL test; thus, a false-positive result is not seen in syphilis cases.
B. Tuberculosis (B) usually presents clinically and does not commonly cause false-positive results on non-treponemal tests.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact:**
In cases of a false-positive VDRL result, a confirmatory test like the FTA-ABS (fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorbed) test should be performed to differentiate between false-positive and true-positive results. This is essential to avoid unnecessary treatment for syphilis in patients with false-positive VDRL results.