Understanding how infants' immune systems respond to congenital syphilis infection
Interrogating infant immune responses for diagnosis of congenital syphilis infection
This study is looking at how the immune systems of babies who might have been exposed to syphilis at birth respond, especially in those who don’t show any signs of infection, to help create better tests that can tell which babies are actually infected so they can get the right care without unnecessary treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11138753 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the immune responses of infants who may have been exposed to syphilis at birth, particularly focusing on those who show no symptoms. The goal is to develop better diagnostic tests that can accurately identify which infants are infected and which are not, reducing unnecessary treatments and follow-ups. By analyzing blood samples, the researchers aim to find specific immune markers that indicate infection. This approach could lead to improved clinical management for affected infants.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include infants who were born to mothers with syphilis and may be asymptomatic at birth.
Not a fit: Patients who are older than four weeks or those who do not have a history of syphilis exposure will not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate diagnoses of congenital syphilis, allowing for timely and appropriate treatment for affected infants.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research on congenital infections, such as congenital cytomegalovirus, has shown success in identifying immune responses that differentiate infected from uninfected infants, suggesting a promising approach for this study.
Where this research is happening
Columbus, United States
- Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp — Columbus, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shimamura, Masako — Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp
- Study coordinator: Shimamura, Masako
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.