Research
Developing better ways to diagnose and treat syphilis is an important research goal of scientists supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).
Scientists are developing new tests that may provide better ways to diagnose syphilis and define the stage of infection. Efforts to develop a diagnostic test that would not require a blood sample are a high priority. For example, researchers are evaluating saliva and urine to see whether they would work as well as blood. Researchers are also trying to develop other diagnostic tests for detecting infection in babies.
Searching for a Syphilis Vaccine
In an effort to stem the spread of syphilis, scientists are conducting research that could lead to the development of a vaccine. Molecular biologists are learning more about the various surface parts of the syphilis bacterium which stimulate the immune system to respond to it.
Developing Easier, Safer Treatments
Another research priority is to develop a safe, effective, single-dose oral antibiotic for syphilis. A clinical trial evaluating oral azithromycin for treating primary syphilis has been completed. Results indicate that this treatment for primary syphilis is as effective as the standard treatment of a penicillin injection. This may offer a potential new option for treating early syphilis. However, there may be a need to monitor for the emergence of azithromycin resistant Treponema pallidum, as there have been reports of this from some laboratories.
Syphilis Genome Offers New Clues
NIAID-funded researchers have also sequenced the genetic blueprint, or genome, of the bacterium that causes syphilis. The DNA sequence represents an encyclopedia of information about the bacterium. Researchers have identified clues in the genome that may help better diagnose, treat, and vaccinate against syphilis, fueling intensive research efforts.
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