Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
PURITAN MEDICAL

Download Mobile App




Molecular Diagnostic Test for Congenital Syphilis Could Enable Immediate Treatment

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 15 Sep 2023

Newborns with congenital syphilis may suffer from issues like bone damage, severe anemia, enlarged liver and spleen, jaundice, nerve issues leading to blindness or hearing loss, meningitis, or skin conditions. More...

The severity of these health issues in the baby largely depends on whether the mother has received timely treatment for syphilis. At present, there are no sensitive diagnostic tests to confirm if a newborn has congenital syphilis. The current diagnostic approach is based on whether the mother has been treated for syphilis or if the baby shows any symptoms of the disease, along with abnormally high syphilis serology labs. As a result, doctors are forced to go through a checklist to assess if the mother has the infection and monitor the newborn for months to establish their infection status. Now, a molecular diagnostic test being developed for the detection of congenital syphilis could enable physicians to begin immediate treatment for newborns.

Researchers from UTHealth Houston (Houston, TX, USA) are working on creating a molecular diagnostic test that can quickly identify congenital syphilis, enabling immediate treatment for the affected newborns. The team is also planning a multicenter study that will examine the neurodevelopmental outcomes in babies born with the disease. This is particularly important as 60% of untreated babies born with syphilis suffer from neurodevelopmental issues.

“Our goal is to create a test for syphilis that is effective, so we can do immediate treatment,” said Irene Stafford, MD, at UTHealth Houston who is the principal investigator. “This test could be an incredible step in treating and diagnosing congenital syphilis.”

Related Links:
UTHealth Houston 


Gold Member
Troponin T QC
Troponin T Quality Control
3-Part Differential Hematology Analyzer
Swelab Alfa Plus Sampler
New
Staining System
RAL DIFF-QUIK
New
Clostridium Difficile Toxin A+B Combo Card Test
CerTest Clostridium Difficile Toxin A+B
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








DIASOURCE (A Biovendor Company)

Channels

Hematology

view channel
Image: CitoCBC is the world first cartridge-based CBC to be granted CLIA Waived status by FDA (Photo courtesy of CytoChip)

Disposable Cartridge-Based Test Delivers Rapid and Accurate CBC Results

Complete Blood Count (CBC) is one of the most commonly ordered lab tests, crucial for diagnosing diseases, monitoring therapies, and conducting routine health screenings. However, more than 90% of physician... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: A simple blood test could replace surgical biopsies for early detecion of heart transplant rejection (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

Blood Test Detects Organ Rejection in Heart Transplant Patients

Following a heart transplant, patients are required to undergo surgical biopsies so that physicians can assess the possibility of organ rejection. Rejection happens when the recipient’s immune system identifies... Read more

Pathology

view channel
These images illustrate how precision oncology Organ Chips recapitulate individual patients’ responses to chemotherapy (Photo courtesy of Wyss Institute at Harvard University)

Cancer Chip Accurately Predicts Patient-Specific Chemotherapy Response

Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), one of the two primary types of esophageal cancer, ranks as the sixth leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide and currently lacks effective targeted therapies.... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.