Creating a new test to diagnose infectious and congenital syphilis
Official title: Development of a Direct Diagnostic Test for Infectious and Congenital Syphilis
Funded at University of Victoria · NIH-10978923 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new, easy-to-use test for syphilis that can quickly and accurately tell if someone has an active infection or if a newborn has congenital syphilis, especially in places where healthcare is hard to reach.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Victoria NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Victoria, Canada) |
| Project start | August 9, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $260,760 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI186005-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10978923 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals at risk for syphilis infections, particularly pregnant women and newborns.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have already been diagnosed and treated for syphilis may not benefit directly from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop a new diagnostic test for syphilis that can accurately identify active infections and congenital syphilis in newborns. The approach focuses on creating a test that is highly sensitive and specific across all stages of the disease, allowing for better differentiation between active and past infections. The test will be designed for easy use in remote areas, making it accessible for patients who may not have access to traditional healthcare facilities. By improving the accuracy and ease of testing, this research seeks to enhance disease management and control efforts.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate and timely diagnoses of syphilis, ultimately reducing the spread of the disease and improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in developing improved diagnostic tests for infectious diseases, suggesting that this approach could yield successful outcomes.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Victoria
Victoria, Canada Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cameron, Caroline E — University of Victoria
- Study coordinator: Cameron, Caroline E
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Syphilis in Pregnancy: Understanding Infection in Moms and Babies
A study following pregnant women with syphilis and their babies to learn how the infection affects pregnancy and newborn health.
-
Syphilis in Pregnancy: Molecular Tests and Immune Responses in Mom and Baby
A study to understand how syphilis affects pregnancy and newborns by using molecular tests and tracking immune responses in 750 pregnant women with syphilis and their babies.
-
Crowdsourced digital messaging to boost syphilis and HIV testing for women in NYC and rural Alabama
A community-driven project tests whether crowdsourced digital messages can encourage women, especially women of color and Native American women, to get syphilis, HIV, and STI tests.
-
Preventing syphilis in pregnant people in Rio de Janeiro
A clinical trial in Brazil tests a pregnancy-safe antibiotic plan to stop syphilis from affecting babies.
-
Cefixime vs Penicillin G for Early Syphilis in HIV and non-HIV patients
This project compares a cefixime-based treatment to standard penicillin for early syphilis in people with and without HIV.
-
Preventing congenital syphilis in pregnant people at risk in Rio de Janeiro
A clinical trial will test a treatment approach during pregnancy to reduce syphilis transmission from mother to baby for pregnant people at risk in Rio de Janeiro.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.