CRISPR Test Diagnoses Mpox Faster Than Lab-Based PCR Method
|
By LabMedica International staff writers Posted on 14 Feb 2024 |
|
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a rare viral disease transmitted through physical contact and typically presents mild symptoms like fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes, though severe cases can require medical intervention. Due to its contagious nature, prompt testing is crucial for isolation and treatment purposes. Current mpox testing requires laboratory equipment and may take hours to yield results. Now, new research suggests a way for faster mpox testing that could be done in any clinic.
Researchers at Pennsylvania State University (University Park, PA, USA) have utilized CRISPR, the groundbreaking gene-editing technology, to develop a faster mpox test. For their study, the team designed a genetic sequence with an attached reporter specifically targeting the mpox virus. The test employs programmable CRISPR RNA that binds to the target and a protein called Cas12a, which together cleaves the reporter to produce fragments of varying sizes. Using nanopore sensing technology, these reporter fragments are analyzed to rapidly and accurately determine the presence of mpox in a sample.
The specificity of the test was validated by its inability to detect cowpox virus, a relative of mpox, thereby confirming its exclusive sensitivity to mpox. This testing method significantly reduces the detection time, taking only 32 to 55 minutes depending on the viral load, compared to the longer duration required for PCR lab testing. The research team is exploring the application of this nanopore technology for the development of tests for other pathogens, aiming to enable multi-target testing from a single sample using a portable device. Although this technology is not yet commercially available, the researchers hope to create a device that could facilitate widespread pathogen testing.
Related Links:
Pennsylvania State University
Latest Microbiology News
- Credit Card-Sized Test Boosts TB Detection in HIV Hotspots
- Fecal Metabolite Profiling Predicts Mortality in Critically Ill Patients
- Portable Molecular POC System Rules Out UTIs in Just 35 Minutes
- POC Lateral Flow Test Detects Deadly Fungal Infection Faster Than Existing Techniques
- Rapid Diagnostic Test Slashes Sepsis Mortality by 39%
- Blood Culture Assay Enhances Diagnostic Stewardship Through Targeted Panel Selection
- Real-Time Genome Sequencing Detects Dangerous Superbug Causing Hospital Infections
- Diagnostic Test Accurately Detects Colorectal Cancer by Identifying Microbial Signature in Gut Bacteria
- Rapid Bedside Test Predicts Sepsis with Over 90% Accuracy
- New Blood Test Detects Up to Five Infectious Diseases at POC
- Molecular Stool Test Shows Potential for Diagnosing TB in Adults with HIV
- New Test Diagnoses Bacterial Meningitis Quickly and Accurately
- Handheld Device Delivers Low-Cost TB Results in Less Than One Hour
- New AI-Based Method Improves Diagnosis of Drug-Resistant Infections
- Breakthrough Diagnostic Technology Identifies Bacterial Infections with Almost 100% Accuracy within Three Hours
- Innovative ID/AST System to Help Diagnose Infectious Diseases and Combat AMR
Channels
Clinical Chemistry
view channel
New Reference Measurement Procedure Standardizes Nucleic Acid Amplification Test Results
Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) play a key role in diagnosing a wide range of infectious diseases. These tests are generally known for their high sensitivity and specificity, and they can be developed... Read more
Pen-Like Tool Quickly and Non-Invasively Detects Opioids from Skin
Opioid drugs such as fentanyl, morphine, and oxycodone are the primary substances associated with overdose cases in the United States. Standard drug screening procedures typically involve collecting blood,... Read more
Molecular Diagnostics
view channel
Genetic Test Could Predict Poor Outcomes in Lung Transplant Patients
Organ transplantation has dramatically transformed the management of patients suffering from organ failure. Yet, the immune system of the recipient often perceives the transplanted organ as a foreign entity,... Read more
Breakthrough Blood Test Enables Early Pancreatic Cancer Detection
Pancreatic cancer ranks as the fourth-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. At present, there are no molecular tools available for the early detection of this disease.... Read more
Hematology
view channel
Disposable Cartridge-Based Test Delivers Rapid and Accurate CBC Results
Complete Blood Count (CBC) is one of the most commonly ordered lab tests, crucial for diagnosing diseases, monitoring therapies, and conducting routine health screenings. However, more than 90% of physician... Read more
First Point-of-Care Heparin Monitoring Test Provides Results in Under 15 Minutes
Heparin dosing requires careful management to avoid both bleeding and clotting complications. In high-risk situations like extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), mortality rates can reach about 50%,... Read more
Immunology
view channel
Blood Test Detects Organ Rejection in Heart Transplant Patients
Following a heart transplant, patients are required to undergo surgical biopsies so that physicians can assess the possibility of organ rejection. Rejection happens when the recipient’s immune system identifies... Read more
Liquid Biopsy Approach to Transform Diagnosis, Monitoring and Treatment of Lung Cancer
Lung cancer continues to be a major contributor to cancer-related deaths globally, with its biological complexity and diverse regulatory processes making diagnosis and treatment particularly difficult.... Read more
Computational Tool Exposes Hidden Cancer DNA Changes Influencing Treatment Resistance
Structural changes in tumor DNA are among the most damaging genetic alterations in cancer, yet they often go undetected, particularly when tissue samples are degraded or of low quality. These hidden genomic... Read more
Pathology
view channel
AI-Driven Preliminary Testing for Pancreatic Cancer Enhances Prognosis
Pancreatic cancer poses a major global health threat due to its high mortality rate, with 467,409 deaths and 510,992 new cases reported worldwide in 2022. Often referred to as the "king" of all cancers,... Read more
Cancer Chip Accurately Predicts Patient-Specific Chemotherapy Response
Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), one of the two primary types of esophageal cancer, ranks as the sixth leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide and currently lacks effective targeted therapies.... Read more
Clinical AI Solution for Automatic Breast Cancer Grading Improves Diagnostic Accuracy
Labs that use traditional image analysis methods often suffer from bottlenecks and delays. By digitizing their pathology practices, labs can streamline their work, allowing them to take on larger caseloads... Read more
Saliva-Based Testing to Enable Early Detection of Cancer, Heart Disease or Parkinson’s
Saliva is one of the most accessible biological fluids, yet it remains underutilized in clinical practice. While saliva samples are used to perform genetic tests to determine, for example, paternity, the... Read moreTechnology
view channel
New Miniature Device to Transform Testing of Blood Cancer Treatments
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has emerged as a groundbreaking treatment for blood cancers like leukemia, offering hope to patients when other treatments fail. However, despite its promise,... Read more
Biosensing Advancement to Enable Early Detection of Disease Biomarkers at POC
Traditional medical diagnostics often require clinical samples to be sent off-site, leading to time-consuming and costly processes. Point-of-care diagnostics offer a more efficient alternative, allowing... Read more
Industry
view channel
AMP Releases Best Practice Recommendations to Guide Clinical Laboratories Offering HRD Testing
Homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) testing identifies tumors that are unable to effectively repair DNA damage through the homologous recombination repair pathway. This deficiency is often linked... Read more
