A novel colorimetric immunosensor based on silk cocoon membrane-integrated ELISA for treponemal antibody detection

Abstract

Syphilis remains a major global public health concern, particularly in resource-limited settings where early and accurate diagnosis is often hindered by technical and economic barriers. Here, we report a novel treponemal antibody (TP-Ab) immunosensor based on natural silk cocoon membrane (SCM), a biocompatible and porous material with intrinsic bioactivity. By integrating enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay principles and a recombinant TP15-17-47 chimera antigen, the SCM-based immunosensor enables colorimetric detection of TP-Ab with high specificity and visual readout. Unlike traditional methods that require complex instrumentation or expensive reagents, this platform offers a low-cost, portable, and easy-to-use alternative suitable for on-site or point-of-care testing. The findings highlight the potential of silk-derived biosensors in a promising direction for syphilis screening technologies.