A smartphone-based point-of-care test for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis

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Investigator: Julius Schachter, PhD
Sponsor: Luminostics, Inc.

Location(s): United States

Description

The ultimate goal of this project is a CE-marked, FDA-cleared and CLIA-waived rapid smartphone-based point-of-care (POC) test to aid the diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infections. CT infections are the most common bacterial STI, with almost 3 million new cases in the US each year, and associated costs exceeding $2.4 billion. Untreated women, mostly in the 15-24 age group, are at a high risk of serious sequelae including pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility. CT infections are curable with a single pill, but the fact that they are asymptomatic in up to 9 out o 10 infected men and women necessitates screening of high-risk populations using accurate testing methods. Currently used Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques (NAATs) are expensive and have a significant delay between specimen collection and result, severely limiting their applicability in disproportionately affected resource poor settings. Rapid POC tests can prevent sequelae and curb disease transmission by enabling a same-day test and treat approach and immediate partner notification.