Rapid combined antibody test to detect active syphilis
Official title: An integrated multiplexed diagnostic assay targeting fusion lipoproteins and cardiolipin for detection of treponemal and nontreponemal antibodies in syphilis patients
Funded at Pennsylvania State University, the · NIH-11291884 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A point-of-care test that looks for both treponemal and non-treponemal antibodies to help tell if someone has active syphilis or a past infection.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pennsylvania State University, the NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (University Park, United States) |
| Project start | February 25, 2025 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $692,013 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI185115-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11291884 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People being evaluated for syphilis — including those with symptoms, known exposure, or pregnant people needing prenatal screening — would be ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People without syphilis, or those with long-ago treated infections who only have persistent treponemal antibodies, may not gain additional benefit from this test.
What this research studies
This project develops a clinic-friendly multiplexed diagnostic that detects treponemal-specific antibodies and non-treponemal (cardiolipin) antibodies on the same device. By providing a semi-quantitative measure of non-treponemal response, the test aims to help distinguish active infection from previously treated cases that retain treponemal antibodies. The team will validate the device using clinical samples and compare results to standard laboratory serology and existing rapid tests. If accurate, the device could be used in clinics or outreach settings to speed treatment decisions and reduce follow-up visits.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could allow clinicians to diagnose active syphilis at the point of care and start appropriate treatment immediately, reducing transmission and delays.
How similar studies have gone: Existing FDA-cleared rapid tests detect only treponemal antibodies, and while some combined approaches have been explored, a reliable semi-quantitative point-of-care treponemal/non-treponemal test is still largely unestablished.
Where this research is happening
-
Pennsylvania State University, the
University Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pan, Dipanjan — Pennsylvania State University, the
- Study coordinator: Pan, Dipanjan
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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.