Emergency Department Screening for Syphilis

Implementation of emergency department screening to impact rising syphilis rates in vulnerable populations

['FUNDING_OTHER'] · UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO · NIH-11126671

This project is developing a new way to check for syphilis in emergency rooms to help people who might not get tested otherwise.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_OTHER']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO (nih funded)
Locations1 site (CHICAGO, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11126671 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

Syphilis cases are increasing, especially in certain communities, and can cause serious health problems if not treated. Many people with syphilis don't have symptoms or may not visit a regular doctor, leading to missed diagnoses. This project aims to make it easier to find syphilis early by offering screening to everyone who comes to the emergency department. The goal is to catch infections sooner, prevent severe complications, and stop the spread, particularly to pregnant women and their babies.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Patients who visit an emergency department, especially those from communities disproportionately affected by syphilis, could potentially benefit from this screening.

Not a fit: Patients who do not visit an emergency department or who are already regularly screened for syphilis in other healthcare settings may not directly benefit from this specific program.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly reduce syphilis infections and related health problems by identifying and treating more people early.

How similar studies have performed: While universal screening in emergency departments for syphilis is a relatively new approach, similar public health screening initiatives have proven effective in detecting other conditions.

Where this research is happening

CHICAGO, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.