SpiroTact and VIPER technology: a promising rapid point-of-care test for active syphilis

Syphilis, caused by Treponema pallidum (TP), continues to present a growing public health challenge globally.1 The current WHO estimates suggest that millions of new syphilis infections occur annually, reflecting a sustained and under-addressed burden in many settings.1 2 Although rapid point-of-care (POC) serological tests and conventional laboratory-based antibody assays are widely available, these modalities may yield false-negative results during early infection and are unable to distinguish between previously treated infection and active disease.3 4 The continued rise in syphilis incidence, including concerning rates of congenital syphilis in many regions, highlights the urgent need for diagnostic tools capable of reliably identifying active infection at the point of care.1 5 This challenge is particularly acute in low- and middle-income countries, including those in sub-Saharan Africa, where laboratory infrastructure is unevenly distributed and delays in diagnostic confirmation can exacerbate…

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