Launch Of Novel Syphilis Testing Methods And Awareness Campaigns To Help Minimize Myths About Syphilis

Syphilis is a curable sexually transmitted infection caused by bacteria, Treponema pallidum. As the diagnosis of syphilis is through clinical findings only, the demand for serologic testing for syphilis has increased over the past decade.

Syphilis matures in stages and varies with each stage. The earliest syphilis symptom is a small sore at the spot where bacteria entered the person’s body. Although the majority of the patients develop only one sore, some develop several of them. The secondary stage of syphilis includes rashes on the patient’s trunk and eventually all over the body. If you spot sores on your body, you must consult a doctor and get the infection treated. Syphilis is curable. However, left untreated, it could lead to brain, heart, or organ damage. Thus, more and more people have considered syphilis testing a part of their annual or quarterly health checkup.

It is observed that 90% of the syphilis cases are recorded in developing countries and a similar trend is observed in developed nations. The increased rate of same-sex, sex under influence of drugs, and sex with multiple partners are the prime reasons for the prevalence of syphilis and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). This has increased the demand for syphilis testing. According to Allied Market Research, the syphilis testing market is expected to register a CAGR of 1.2% from 2015 to 2020. This is because of the growing incident rate and prevention rate of syphilis coupled with the implementation of national screen programs.

Recent development in syphilis testing

Keeping the spike in the number of syphilis patients, several governments have initiated campaigns and new schemes to increase awareness of syphilis and its treatment. What’s more, the increase in congenital syphilis promoted such campaigns. For instance, the Houston Health Department (HHD) in Houston County has launched a campaign to raise awareness regarding congenital syphilis and urge women to seek frequent prenatal care to prevent the infection. The campaign, My Prenatal Promise, aims to target women age between 16 to 44 and highlight the importance of prenatal care and syphilis testing.

Similarly, Washington-based organization, National Association of City and County Health Officials (NACCHO) recently announced its new project to support local health departments in congenital syphilis testing. According to a survey by the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), almost half of the newborn syphilis cases in the U.S. are caused due to gaps in testing and lack of preventive measures against syphilis during prenatal care.

While various organizations have launched projects to increase awareness regarding syphilis testing, Hauppauge-based firm, Chembio Diagnostics recently acquired premarket approval from the FDA for its DPP HIV-Syphilis system. The system consists of a single-use rapid test for syphilis and HIV that detects infection within 15 minutes from the samples received from patients. For now, the company is offering tests within the U.S. and would soon plan to expand.

Although syphilis is a curable infection, there is a chance of recurrence of the diseases. Thus, frequent testing for syphilis and other STDs is essential. The increase in government-approved campaigns and the emergence of novel ways of syphilis are expected to help curb the number of syphilis patients across the globe.

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