Technology ID
TAB-3325
Diagnostic Assay with Modified Cardiolipin for Detecting Active Syphilis Infections
E-Numbers
E-310-2013-0
Lead Inventor
Castro, Arnold (CDC)
Co-Inventors
Wang, Huiying (CDC)
Applications
Research Materials
Occupational Safety and Health
Diagnostics
Consumer Products
Therapeutic Areas
Infectious Disease
Development Stages
Pre-Clinical (in vitro)
Lead IC
CDC
ICs
CDC
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that remains a global health threat. The World Health Organization estimates that more than 12 million new cases are reported in adults annually worldwide. Syphilis rates are rising domestically as well. The rapid plasma reagin (RPR) test (including automated version) and the Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test are commercially available and used to detect/screen active infection.
CDC researchers have also developed a rapid serological test that detects active syphilis infections. The test is an immunoassay that uses modified cardiolipin as an antigen to detect anti-cardiolipin antibodies produced in response to lipoidal components released from host cells or Treponema pallidum cells damaged during the course of infection, offering a method of detecting active syphilis infections. This invention also comprises a method for preparing oxidized cardiolipin so that it is capable of linking to a protein for attachment to a solid support (such as a microporous membrane (i.e., nitrocellulose) or multi-well plate).
CDC researchers have also developed a rapid serological test that detects active syphilis infections. The test is an immunoassay that uses modified cardiolipin as an antigen to detect anti-cardiolipin antibodies produced in response to lipoidal components released from host cells or Treponema pallidum cells damaged during the course of infection, offering a method of detecting active syphilis infections. This invention also comprises a method for preparing oxidized cardiolipin so that it is capable of linking to a protein for attachment to a solid support (such as a microporous membrane (i.e., nitrocellulose) or multi-well plate).
Commercial Applications
- Clinical diagnosis of active syphilis infections
- Monitoring of infection status in response to standard syphilis treatment
- Can be used to detect nontreponemal antibodies only or used in assays which co-detect nontreponemal and treponemal antibodies
- Monitoring and public health surveillance
Competitive Advantages
- Can differentiate between prior exposure and active infection of syphilis
- Can be used in lateral flow, flow-through, or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) testing formats
- Can be used in a point-of-care assay allowing for convenience, rapid results, low cost, and field use
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