suggests that phylotypes differ phenotypically. An accurate survey of genetic diversity and population structure will facilitate responsible selection of drug and/or vaccine targets for future treatments, and will enable better understanding of virulence factors contributing to the wide range of severity of symptoms associated with trichomoniasis. Objectives To develop a novel diagnostic protein in order to enhance early detection of syphilis infections and improve overall syphilis diagnosis.

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... thods Using pooled serum samples from patients infected with syphilis, immunoreactive regions of two previously identified diagnostic protein candidates, Tp0326 and Tp0453, were elucidated. Focusing on these regions, a chimeric protein construct was created for expression in Escherichia coli and expression conditions were optimised to produce soluble protein expression. This Tp0326/Tp0453 chimeric construct was screened against serum samples from; patients with primary, secondary, latent, and neurosyphilis and uninfected individuals. These results were directly compared to the rapid plasma regain (RPR) test, and the microhemagglutination assay for T pallidum (MHA-TP). Results Screening results show high degrees of sensitivity and specificity for the Tp0326/Tp0453 chimeric construct, identifying all stages of syphilis infection from early primary to late latent. Conclusion The Tp0326/Tp0453 chimera shows promise as a new diagnostic antigen for detecting all stages of syphilis infection and for development into point-of-care diagnostic test formats.