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Point-of-Care Diagnostics for Diagnosis of Active Syphilis Infection: Needs, Challenges and the Way Forward

Author

Listed:
  • Minh D. Pham

    (Burnet Institute, Melbourne 3004, Australia
    Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne 3004, Australia)

  • Jason J. Ong

    (Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Melbourne 3053, Australia)

  • David A. Anderson

    (Burnet Institute, Melbourne 3004, Australia)

  • Heidi E. Drummer

    (Burnet Institute, Melbourne 3004, Australia
    Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Melbourne 3800, Australia
    Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3000, Australia)

  • Mark Stoové

    (Burnet Institute, Melbourne 3004, Australia
    Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne 3004, Australia)

Abstract

Syphilis, a curable sexually transmitted infection, has re-emerged as a global public health threat with an estimated 5.6 million new cases every year. Pregnant women and men who have sex with men are key target populations for syphilis control and prevention programs. Frequent syphilis testing for timely and accurate diagnosis of active infections for appropriate clinical management is a key strategy to effectively prevent disease transmission. However, there are persistent challenges in the diagnostic landscape and service delivery/testing models that hinder global syphilis control efforts. In this commentary, we summarise the current trends and challenges in diagnosis of active syphilis infection and identify the data gaps and key areas for research and development of novel point-of-care diagnostics which could help to overcome the present technological, individual and structural barriers in access to syphilis testing. We present expert opinion on future research which will be required to accelerate the validation and implementation of new point-of-care diagnostics in real-world settings.

Suggested Citation

  • Minh D. Pham & Jason J. Ong & David A. Anderson & Heidi E. Drummer & Mark Stoové, 2022. "Point-of-Care Diagnostics for Diagnosis of Active Syphilis Infection: Needs, Challenges and the Way Forward," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-9, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:13:p:8172-:d:855145
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Yalda Jafari & Rosanna W Peeling & Sushmita Shivkumar & Christiane Claessens & Lawrence Joseph & Nitika Pant Pai, 2013. "Are Treponema pallidum Specific Rapid and Point-of-Care Tests for Syphilis Accurate Enough for Screening in Resource Limited Settings? Evidence from a Meta-Analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(2), pages 1-8, February.
    2. Andreas Kuznik & Mohammed Lamorde & Agnes Nyabigambo & Yukari C Manabe, 2013. "Antenatal Syphilis Screening Using Point-of-Care Testing in Sub-Saharan African Countries: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(11), pages 1-15, November.
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