Syphilis is a disease, usually sexually transmitted, caused by infection with the spirochete Treponema pallidum. Infection is systemic from the outset and the disease is characterized by periods of latency, often in excess of twenty years. These features, together with the fact that Treponema pallidum cannot be isolated in culture, mean that serological techniques play a major role in the diagnosis of syphilis.

Bio-Rad offers several tests for serological diagnosis of T. pallidum among which is the latex agglutination V.D.R.L. test.