Syphilis strikes back again

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the pathogen Treponema pallidum. It can affect different organ systems, mainly in the heart, circulatory system and nervous system. Syphilis can spread from an infected mother to her unborn baby, leading to potential pregnancy complications.

In recent years, there has been a sustained increase in the incidence of syphilis in many regions. In the United States, national surveillance data show that the rate of primary and secondary syphilis has continued to increase; in 2022, 59,016 cases of primary and secondary syphilis were reported, corresponding to a rate of 17.7 cases per 100,000 population, more than double the burden observed a decade earlier. Over the same period, congenital syphilis has risen even more sharply, with a 261% increase in reported cases between 2013 and 2018^[1],[2].

In Europe, syphilis notification rates have also risen steadily. In 2022, 35,391 confirmed cases were reported, this is an increase of 41% compared to 2018. In 2023, the number of reported cases rose further to 41,051, approximately twice as many as in 2014^[3],[4].

The situation in parts of Asia is similarly concerning. In Japan, the number of reported syphilis cases increased from 7,007 in 2018 to 13,258 in 2022, the highest annual total since national records began[5]. In China, rapid growth in syphilis incidence was documented in the 2000s and early 2010s, with some regions showing an average annual increase of around 16% between 2004 and 2013, and syphilis remains a major public health[6].

This increase in the incidence will lead to an increase in the demand for Syphilis immunoassays. Are you ready for that?

How Werfen can support you

If you are expecting a demand increase of your Syphilis assay or envision a new generation of Syphilis immunoassays for your portfolio, we can help you with Werfen Syphilis Biomaterials.

Check our technical note   to see the performance of our recombinant Treponema pallidum Antigens in chemiluminescence assays for the qualitative measurement of IgG and IgM antibodies to Treponema pallidum (Anti-TP). 

Werfen Syphilis Biomaterials consist of the following antigens:

If you are expecting an increase of demand of your Syphilis assay or envision a new generation of Syphilis immunoassays for your portfolio, we can help you with Werfen Syphilis Biomaterials.