Causes of False-Positive Reactions to Reagin Tests

[Show Table Outline]

Occurring in >10% of Clients with the Following:

Transiently Positive

• Infectious mononucleosis
• Malaria
• Brucellosis
• Typhus
• Lymphogranuloma venereum
• Subacute bacterial endocarditis

Persistently Positive

• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Illicit drug use
• Hepatitis
• Leprosy
• Malaria
• Advanced age
• Nonsyphilitic treponemal disease (pints, yaws, bejel)

Occurring Rarely in Clients with the Following:

Transiently Positive

• Hepatitis
• Measles
• Chickenpox
• Mycoplasma pneumonia
• After smallpox vaccination

Persistently Positive

• Tuberculosis
• Scleroderma

[Table Outline]

• Occurring in >10% of Clients with the Following:
  • Transiently Positive
  • Persistently Positive
• Occurring Rarely in Clients with the Following:
  • Transiently Positive
  • Persistently Positive