Multilayer Plasmon Hybridization in Au–Ag–Au Nanoparticles Enables Extinction Amplification in Transport-Limited One-Step Confirmatory Syphilis Biosensing

Researchers developed a dual-marker point-of-care syphilis assay using gold-silver-gold multilayer plasmonic nanoparticles to improve the detection of treponemal and non-treponemal antibodies. Evaluation with 36 clinical serum specimens—including de-identified samples supplied by Boca Biolistics—produced stronger signals than conventional gold nanoparticle reporters and detected low-titer specimens missed by the comparison strips, supporting further development of rapid, instrument-free syphilis testing.

Dighe K, Natarajan S, Iftesum M, et al. Multilayer Plasmon Hybridization in Au–Ag–Au Nanoparticles Enables Extinction Amplification in Transport-Limited One-Step Confirmatory Syphilis Biosensing. ACS Sensors. 2026. doi:10.1021/acssensors.6c02500.