Hidden syphilis: new study targets silent spread in women and straight men

NCT ID NCT07300254

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study aims to understand how syphilis bacteria spread from people without visible symptoms, focusing on women and men who have sex with women only—groups often overlooked in past research. Researchers will collect swabs and blood samples from 480 participants with early syphilis to check if live bacteria are present in the mouth, anus, vagina, or urine. The goal is to find out if asymptomatic transmission is possible, which could help improve prevention efforts.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

What this could lead to

If successful, this study could clarify how syphilis spreads without symptoms, potentially improving prevention strategies for understudied groups.

What could go wrong

This is an observational study, not a treatment trial. It may not directly change clinical practice, and findings may not apply to all populations.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for SYPHILIS are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

primary syphilis syphilis

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Contact

    Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Burrell Street Clinic, Guy's and St Thomas'

    RECRUITING

    London, SE10UN, United Kingdom

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Foundation for Professional Development

    NOT_YET_RECRUITING

    Pretoria, 0184, South Africa

  • Jefferiss Clinic St Mary's Hospital, Imperial College London

    RECRUITING

    London, W21DL, United Kingdom

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

    ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING

    London, WC1E7HT, United Kingdom

  • Monash University

    ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING

    Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia

  • Mortimer Market Centre

    RECRUITING

    London, WC1E6JB, United Kingdom

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • National Institute for Communicable Diseases

    NOT_YET_RECRUITING

    Johannesburg, 2192, South Africa

  • Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital

    NOT_YET_RECRUITING

    Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, 200443, China

  • Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine

    NOT_YET_RECRUITING

    Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, 200082, China