Quick Test for Syphilis Antibiotic Resistance
Rapid Point-of-Care Detection of T. pallidum Resistance to Macrolides and Tetracyclines by Multiplexed Loop-mediated amplification (LAMP)
['FUNDING_R21'] · UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · NIH-11132973
This project aims to create a fast test to see if syphilis bacteria are resistant to common antibiotics, helping doctors choose the best treatment for patients.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R21'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (SEATTLE, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11132973 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Syphilis cases are increasing, and there's a shortage of penicillin, the main treatment. This means doctors sometimes rely on other antibiotics like doxycycline or azithromycin. However, syphilis can become resistant to these drugs, making treatment harder and potentially leading to incomplete treatment. This project is developing a quick, easy-to-use test that can tell doctors right away if a patient's syphilis is resistant to these alternative antibiotics. This information will help ensure patients receive the most effective treatment from the start, especially for those who might struggle with multi-day antibiotic regimens.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients diagnosed with syphilis who need rapid and accurate information about antibiotic resistance to guide their treatment would be ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients whose syphilis is easily treated with standard penicillin or who do not require testing for macrolide or tetracycline resistance may not directly benefit from this specific test.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this test could help doctors quickly identify the most effective antibiotic for syphilis, preventing treatment failures and improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: While high rates of azithromycin resistance have been observed, there are currently no clinical assays available to detect T. pallidum resistance to either macrolides or tetracyclines, making this approach novel.
Where this research is happening
SEATTLE, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON — SEATTLE, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: LIEBERMAN, JOSHUA ABRAHAM — UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
- Study coordinator: LIEBERMAN, JOSHUA ABRAHAM
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 below.