Modernizing Perinatal Syphilis Testing

This study is looking for pregnant individuals, new mothers, and newborns who are at risk for syphilis, as well as men and non-pregnant individuals with syphilis. The goal is to improve how we detect syphilis in mothers and babies. Researchers are comparing two new tests, the quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay and the Aptima transcription-mediated amplification (TMA) assay, against the current 2021 CDC guidelines for diagnosing syphilis. They want to see how well these new tests work and if syphilis in newborns is linked to problems with their brain development. The study aims to enroll 924 participants, and its current status is unclear.

Study design
This is an interventional study. It plans to enroll 924 participants.
What's involved
Samples will be collected from the mother/newborn pair at the time of birth. For neonates, samples will be collected up to 72 or 96 hours after birth.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
The primary outcomes are measured from the time of birth up to 72 or 96 hours after birth.

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NCT06082453

Modernizing Perinatal Syphilis Testing

Recruiting
NAUp to 45InterventionalDiagnostic
The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
~924 participants
Updated 2025-11-03 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay for detection of Treponema pallidumAptima Treponema pallidum transcription-mediated amplification (TMA) assay for detection of Treponema pallidumCenter for Disease Control (CDC) Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) 2021 Treatment Guidelines for diagnosis of syphilis

At a glance

Recruiting sites
9 of 9 listed sites are recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Sensitivity of quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay for detecting T. pallidum
Measured over from the time of birth up to 96 hours after birth
+14 more outcomes measured
Syphilis
9 sites across 4 states
Texas4
California2
Maryland2
Ohio1
  • Irene Stafford, MD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Maternal diagnosis of syphilis by 2021 CDC STI guidelines, irrespective of treatment status; AND viable pregnancy with gestational age ≥ 12 weeks OR postpartum ≤ 96 hours from delivery OR Neonates of pregnancies affected by syphilis ≤ 72 hours of birth
Individuals (men and non-pregnant) with syphilis in Harris Health clinic with syphilis

Exclusion

Pregnant individuals and neonates who do not meet the criteria of syphilis (false positive)
Planning to move outside of study prior to ND testing
  • Sensitivity of quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay for detecting T. pallidumfrom the time of birth up to 96 hours after birth

    Samples will be collected from participants during the following time periods: from the time of birth to up to 72 hours after birth (for neonates) from time of birth up to 96 hours after birth (for mothers)

  • Specificity of quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay for detecting T. pallidumfrom the time of birth up to 72 hours after birth

    Samples will be collected from participants during the following time periods: from the time of birth to up to 72 hours after birth (for neonates) from time of birth up to 96 hours after birth (for mothers)

  • Positive predictive value of quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay for detecting T. pallidumfrom the time of birth up to 72 hours after birth

    Samples will be collected from participants during the following time periods: from the time of birth to up to 72 hours after birth (for neonates) from time of birth up to 96 hours after birth (for mothers)

  • Negative predictive value of quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay for detecting T. pallidumfrom the time of birth up to 72 hours after birth

    Samples will be collected from participants during the following time periods: from the time of birth to up to 72 hours after birth (for neonates) from time of birth up to 96 hours after birth (for mothers)

  • Area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay for detecting T. pallidumfrom the time of birth up to 72 hours after birth

    Samples will be collected from participants during the following time periods: from the time of birth to up to 72 hours after birth (for neonates) from time of birth up to 96 hours after birth (for mothers)

  • Sensitivity of Aptima Treponema pallidum transcription-mediated amplification (TMA) assay for detecting T. pallidumfrom the time of birth up to 72 hours after birth

    Samples will be collected from participants during the following time periods: from the time of birth to up to 72 hours after birth (for neonates) from time of birth up to 96 hours after birth (for mothers)

  • Specificity of Aptima Treponema pallidum transcription-mediated amplification (TMA) assay for detecting T. pallidumfrom the time of birth up to 72 hours after birth

    Samples will be collected from participants during the following time periods: from the time of birth to up to 72 hours after birth (for neonates) from time of birth up to 96 hours after birth (for mothers)

  • Positive predictive value of Aptima Treponema pallidum transcription-mediated amplification (TMA) assay for detecting T. pallidumfrom the time of birth up to 72 hours after birth

    Samples will be collected from participants during the following time periods: from the time of birth to up to 72 hours after birth (for neonates) from time of birth up to 96 hours after birth (for mothers)

  • Negative predictive value of Aptima Treponema pallidum transcription-mediated amplification (TMA) assay for detecting T. pallidumfrom the time of birth up to 72 hours after birth

    Samples will be collected from participants during the following time periods: from the time of birth to up to 72 hours after birth (for neonates) from time of birth up to 96 hours after birth (for mothers)

  • Area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of Aptima Treponema pallidum transcription-mediated amplification (TMA) assay for detecting T. pallidumfrom the time of birth up to 72 hours after birth

    Samples will be collected from participants during the following time periods: from the time of birth to up to 72 hours after birth (for neonates) from time of birth up to 96 hours after birth (for mothers)

  • Sensitivity of CDC 2021 STI Treatment Guidelines for diagnosis of syphilisfrom 12 weeks gestational age up to 18 months after birth

    Clinical data used to diagnose syphilis according the CDC 2021 STI Guidelines will be collected as part of standard clinical care from the time of pregnancy (greater than or equal to 12 weeks gestational age) up to 18 months after birth.

  • Specificity of CDC 2021 STI Treatment Guidelines for diagnosis of syphilisfrom 12 weeks gestational age up to 18 months after birth

    Clinical data used to diagnose syphilis according the CDC 2021 STI Guidelines will be collected as part of standard clinical care from the time of pregnancy (greater than or equal to 12 weeks gestational age) up to 18 months after birth.

  • Positive predictive value of CDC 2021 STI Treatment Guidelines for diagnosis of syphilisfrom 12 weeks gestational age up to 18 months after birth

    Clinical data used to diagnose syphilis according the CDC 2021 STI Guidelines will be collected as part of standard clinical care from the time of pregnancy (greater than or equal to 12 weeks gestational age) up to 18 months after birth.

  • Negative predictive value of CDC 2021 STI Treatment Guidelines for diagnosis of syphilisfrom 12 weeks gestational age up to 18 months after birth

    Clinical data used to diagnose syphilis according the CDC 2021 STI Guidelines will be collected as part of standard clinical care from the time of pregnancy (greater than or equal to 12 weeks gestational age) up to 18 months after birth.

  • Area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of CDC 2021 STI Treatment Guidelines for diagnosis of syphilisfrom 12 weeks gestational age up to 18 months after birth

    Clinical data used to diagnose syphilis according the CDC 2021 STI Guidelines will be collected as part of standard clinical care from the time of pregnancy (greater than or equal to 12 weeks gestational age) up to 18 months after birth.