April 24, 2026- QuidelOrtho Corporation has released episode 57 of its Science Bytes podcast, focusing on evolving syphilis trends in the United States and the rise of congenital syphilis cases despite declines in early-stage infections.
Hosted by Josh Casey, the episode features Andrea Ott‑Vasconi, Director of Scientific Affairs and Regulatory at QuidelOrtho, who breaks down what CDC data reveals, why congenital syphilis continues to rise and how diagnostic strategies and healthcare workflows can close critical screening gaps, especially during pregnancy.
While provisional data show a second consecutive year of decline in primary and secondary syphilis cases, congenital syphilis cases reached nearly 4,000 in 2024. Because congenital syphilis is completely preventable with timely diagnosis and treatment during pregnancy, the episode highlights missed screening opportunities and actionable steps health systems can take now.
Key Insights:
- Diverging trends in syphilis: Early-stage syphilis is declining, but congenital syphilis continues to rise due to missed or late screening
- Why repeat testing matters: A single early prenatal test misses infections acquired later in pregnancy
- Understanding testing strategies: How treponemal and non‑treponemal tests work together to identify active infection
- Screening beyond prenatal care: Emergency departments and opt‑out screening play a critical role in identifying asymptomatic infections
- Actionable steps for health systems: Universal repeat testing in pregnancy, EHR prompts and treating every pregnancy-related encounter as a screening opportunity
Listen to the latest episode of the QuidelOrtho Science Bytes podcast on major streaming platforms or at: https://www.quidelortho.com/global/en/resources/podcasts/quidelortho-science-bytes.