Investigating factors affecting tests for congenital syphilis
Official title: Pre-Analytic Factors affecting Molecular tests for Congenital Syphilis
Funded at Ut Southwestern Medical Center · NIH-10977800 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how different factors can affect tests for congenital syphilis in newborns, with the goal of creating better and more accurate ways to detect the infection so that pregnant people and their babies can get the right treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project start | August 20, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $246,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI185968-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10977800 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include pregnant individuals at risk for syphilis and their newborns, particularly those showing symptoms or with a history of maternal syphilis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or do not have a risk of syphilis infection may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the pre-analytic factors that influence molecular tests for congenital syphilis, a serious condition affecting newborns. The study aims to develop accurate and sensitive diagnostic methods using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques, which can directly detect syphilis infection. By improving diagnostic accuracy, the research seeks to enhance treatment decisions for affected neonates and pregnant individuals. The approach involves analyzing various factors that may impact test results to ensure reliable detection of the infection.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate and timely diagnoses of congenital syphilis, ultimately improving health outcomes for newborns and pregnant individuals.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success with PCR-based diagnostic methods for other infectious diseases, indicating potential for similar advancements in congenital syphilis detection.
Where this research is happening
-
Ut Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sorelle, Jeffrey — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Sorelle, Jeffrey
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.