Rising congenital syphilis rates have created an urgent need for faster, more accessible testing among pregnant patients. Traditional laboratory workflows often cannot deliver results quickly enough to support same-visit treatment, which is crucial for preventing infection progression and congenital transmission. This gap has prompted clinicians and public health experts to explore rapid point-of-care testing as a complementary strategy.
Rapid treponemal tests, paired with non-treponemal antibody tests for confirmation and staging, are increasingly being used to support early detection and treatment at the point of care. For laboratory professionals, understanding how these programs are being implemented offers valuable context on evolving diagnostic approaches and public health trends.
This compendium brings together a case study and expert-led webinar examining the use of rapid point-of-care testing for pregnant patients. Together, they provide a closer examination of how these programs are being implemented, the challenges and successes observed, and how rapid testing is improving access to timely care in underserved populations.
