A one step rapid test could catch syphilis earlier
Syphilis is curable with penicillin, but it is easy to miss because its symptoms mimic other illnesses and can fade while the infection continues. A team led by Penn State researchers developed a pilot rapid test that combines two kinds of blood testing into one device and picks up lower levels of the antibodies the body produces against the infection. The trick is in the nanoparticles that form the visible result line. Instead of plain gold, the team used particles layered with silver and coated in gold, producing noticeably stronger test lines. Published in ACS Sensors, the work could lead to earlier diagnosis and fewer clinic visits for patients.