Understanding how infants' immune systems respond to congenital syphilis infection
Official title: Interrogating infant immune responses for diagnosis of congenital syphilis infection
Funded at Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp · NIH-11138753 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 start | July 15, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $195,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI186003-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11138753 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include infants who were born to mothers with syphilis and may be asymptomatic at birth.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are older than four weeks or those who do not have a history of syphilis exposure will not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
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
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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.