Immunoassays and Methods to Diagnose Syphilis by Immobilizing a Lipoidal Antigen on a Solid Support

Syphilis, a genital ulcerative disease caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum, is associated with significant complications if left untreated. Syphilis rates in the United States have been increasing.

CDC scientists have developed a method for capturing anti-lipoidal antibodies that are produced during syphilis infection. This method works by immobilizing a lipoidal antigen including (but not limited to) cardiolipin, lecithin and cholesterol on a solid support such as a nitrocellulose membrane. When the membrane-bound lipoidal antigen is exposed to a patient serum sample, any antibodies specific for the lipoidal antigen will be captured, allowing for easy detection. Detection may be accomplished by a visual, qualitative method producing results that are easy to read and interpret. The test can be used at the point-of-care (POC), in rural areas and/or in field studies. This method is adaptable for use with other antigen-antibody interactions and diagnostics for additional diseases characterized by the presence of anti-lipoidal antibodies.

Potential Commercial Applications:		Competitive Advantages:
Point-of-care diagnostic testing for syphilis Rapid lateral flow or flow-through combination (nontreponemal/treponemal) screening for syphilis Monitoring and public health surveillance Syphilis research		Easy to interpret results Requires no specialty equipment or refrigeration Detects syphilis antibodies in serum samples Combination screening and confirmatory test in one device Can be used in a point-of-care assay allowing for convenience, rapid results, low costs, and field use

Related Invention(s):
E-310-2013-0
E-334-2013-0
E-574-2013-0


Inventors:

Arnold Castro (CDC)  ➽ more inventions...

Robert George (CDC)  ➽ more inventions...


Intellectual Property:
US Pat: 8,389,229 issued 2013-03-05
PCT Application No. PCT/US2006/024117 filed on 2006-06-20
US Application No. 11/993,213 filed on 2008-01-11
US Application No. 13/421,681 filed on 2012-03-15

Collaboration Opportunity:
The CDC Technology Transfer Office (TTO) is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize: Immunoassays and Methods to Diagnose Syphilis by Immobilizing a Lipoidal Antigen on a Solid Support. For collaboration opportunities, please contact CDC TTO at tto@cdc.gov or 1-404-639-1330.


Licensing Contact:
Jeremiah Mitzelfelt,
Email: jeremiah.mitzelfelt@nih.gov
Phone: 301-443-8518

OTT Reference No: E-321-2013-0
Updated: Sep 11, 2018