How Rapid Testing Can Control the Syphilis Epidemic
Although, 20 years ago syphilis was thought to be a disease of the past, a syphilis epidemic is occurring. In the United States alone, 203,500 cases were reported in 20221, nearly double the reported cases of 2018. Most of the increase in syphilis cases has been among men who have sex with men. However, there has been an alarming increase of cases in women and in babies born with congenital syphilis.
The syphilis epidemic requires novel testing and prevention approaches. The Diagnostics Direct Syphilis Health CheckTM test is a lateral flow immunochromatographic rapid test that detects treponemal antibodies. In a CLIA-waived setting, the test can be performed on fingerstick whole blood to deliver results in just 10 minutes.
MedPro is working with OraSure Technologies to introduce the Diagnostics Direct Syphilis Health Check test across all major healthcare markets to increase awareness and facilitate sales. MedPro is a national independent sales group that represents leading medical manufacturers, like OraSure, in diverse acute, government, and non-acute healthcare markets.
Below are some of the test’s features representatives should highlight in conversations with customers:
Results in 10 Minutes
Results are obtained at the point of care (POC) in 10 minutes, providing immediate insight that can inform treatment decisions. Healthcare providers can discuss results and provide resources for care in one visit. Rapid results facilitate more immediate partner notification efforts as well.
Early Detection
Syphilis is a multistage disease that is easily treatable with antibiotics in the beginning stages, but early detection is critical2. Among the benefits of a treponemal test, like the FDA-approved Diagnostics Direct Syphilis Health Check test, is detection of primary infection at a slightly earlier stage than a nontreponemal test3.
Improved Neonatal Care
Studies have verified the test’s accuracy at all stages of infection, which provides the ability to detect infection in pregnant people for the identification of potential congenital syphilis at every trimester.
30-Month Shelf Life
The Diagnostics Direct Syphilis Health Check test is easy to perform and requires minimal training. The test has a shelf life of 30 months.
Capturing Coinfections
The Diagnostics Direct Syphilis Health Check test complements OraSure’s suite of products, like the OraQuick® Rapid HIV-1/2 Antibody Test and the OraQuick® HCV Rapid Antibody Test, to capture coinfections. All OraSure POC kits offer easy, flexible, and accurate testing options for providers across diverse settings to capture coinfections. (Please visit orasure.com/products-infectious/index.html.)
With nearly 20 years of sales experience, MedPro helps medical manufacturers grow by driving sales around enhanced diagnostic offerings. MedPro’s team consists of 65 clinically trained and credentialed nationwide sales representatives that cover all major healthcare facilities and markets. The Diagnostics Direct Syphilis Health Check test is a perfect complement to OraSure’s portfolio of POC testing products available from MedPro, which is actively bringing the test to all major healthcare markets in the United States. Please contact MedPro Associates for further details on how we can help your organization.
References:
1 Papp JR, Park IU, Fakile Y, Pereira L, Pillay A, Bolan GA. CDC Laboratory Recommendations for Syphilis Testing, United States, 2024. MMWR Recomm Rep 2024;73(No. RR-1):1–32. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.rr7301a1.
2 Division of STD Prevention, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
3 Soreng, K., Levy, R. & Fakile, Y. Serologic Testing for Syphilis: Benefits and Challenges of a Reverse Algorithm. Clin. Microbiol. Newsl. 36, 195–202 (2014).
OraQuick is a registered trademark of OraSure Technologies, Inc. Syphilis Health Check is a trademark of Diagnostics Direct, LLC, used under license by OraSure Technologies, Inc. The Syphilis Health Check products are manufactured by Diagnostics Direct, LLC and distributed by OraSure Technologies, Inc.