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
 Assay.jpg)
Latest Microbiology News
- New Diagnostic Workflow Identifies Bloodstream Pathogens and Antibiotic Response in Hours
- Genetic Marker Identifies Emerging Resistance to Frontline Malaria Drugs
- Surveillance and Susceptibility Testing Track Rising Candida Auris in U.S.
- Plasma Cell-Free DNA Test Enables Earlier Diagnosis of Invasive Fungal Infections
- FDA Clears One-Hour Panel for Bloodstream Infection and AMR Detection
- Precision Screening Helps Close Hepatitis C Diagnosis and Treatment Gaps
- Proteomic Workflow Maps Microbial and Host Responses in Intestinal Inflammation
- Metagenomic Sequencing Enables Faster Diagnosis of Respiratory Infections in Cystic Fibrosis
- Portable Molecular Platform to Advance Point-of-Care Testing for Lassa Fever
- New Sensitive Blood Assay Detects Tuberculosis Antigen Directly in Blood
- Study Highlights Need for Routine Hepatitis E Testing in Cirrhosis
- High-Throughput Automated Platform to Advance Latent Tuberculosis Testing
- Expanded Diagnostics and Therapies Target Rising Gonorrhea Resistance
- New Rapid Ebola Antigen Test Detects Infection at Point of Care
- Syndromic GI Panel Detects Cyclospora for Rapid Case Confirmation
- Rapid Panel Identifies Gram-Negative Pathogens and Resistance Markers in Bloodstream Infections
Channels
Clinical Chemistry
view channel
Multiprotein Plasma Panel Identifies Remission in Vasculitis
Vasculitis causes immune-mediated inflammation of blood vessel walls and can lead to kidney and lung damage. Clinicians rely on immunosuppressive drugs, but treatment carries significant side effects and... Read more
Rapid Urine Biomarker Panel Supports Better Kidney Transplant Decisions
Kidney transplantation remains constrained by organ scarcity and uncertainty about the quality of deceased-donor kidneys. In the United States, more than 92,000 people are awaiting a kidney transplant,... Read more
Molecular Diagnostics
view channel
New Blood RNA Markers Help Advance Precision Medicine for Respiratory Patients
Risk stratification in hospitalized respiratory disease, particularly among older adults with COVID-19, remains challenging despite rich clinical datasets. Blood-based non-coding RNA biomarkers are promising,... Read more
Single Genetic Analysis Identifies Causes of Premature Ovarian Insufficiency
Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) affects up to 3.5% of women and represents a major cause of infertility. In most cases, the underlying etiology remains unknown, making patient counseling and clinical... Read more
Hematology
view channel
New Genetic Findings Reveal Cause of Bone Marrow Failure Syndrome
Inherited bone marrow failure syndromes (IBMFS) impair the bone marrow’s ability to produce sufficient healthy blood cells and are associated with an increased risk of early-onset myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).... Read more
Ultra-Portable Device Enables Finger-Prick Blood Testing at Home
Patients who need frequent blood tests often face repeated clinic visits that burden services and disrupt care. In the UK, millions of tests are performed each year to diagnose disease, guide therapy,... Read more
Immunology
view channel
Gut “Memory” May Explain Why IBD Flares Return
Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, are characterized by recurring flare-ups that damage the intestinal mucosa and remain difficult to predict.... Read more
AI-Based Antibody Profiling Predicts Strength of COVID-19 Vaccine Response
Vaccine-induced protection can vary widely between individuals, creating uncertainty for clinicians, particularly in patients with immunosuppressive conditions. Demographic and health factors explain only... Read more
Pathology
view channel
AI Matches Pathologists in Predicting Breast Cancer Prognosis from Immune Cells
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Australian women, with more than 20,000 cases each year. Prognosis can be informed by counting tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) on routine pathology slides,... Read more
AI-Pathologist Framework Improves Accuracy and Reliability in Cancer Diagnosis
Ensuring reliable cancer diagnosis from digital pathology remains a critical challenge as clinical decisions rely on accurate slide interpretation. While artificial intelligence (AI) has accelerated whole-slide... Read more
New Review Highlights Intelligent Agents as Next Step for Digital Pathology
Digital pathology remains constrained by models that classify single images without mirroring how clinicians interrogate multiple slides, adjust magnification, and synthesize ancillary tests.... Read more
Simple Immunohistochemical Size Ratio Improves Classification of Primary Aldosteronism
Primary aldosteronism is a common but underdiagnosed cause of hypertension, in which excess aldosterone promotes salt retention and raises blood pressure. Identifying the dominant source of hormone overproduction... Read moreTechnology
view channel
Autonomous Robotic System Receives FDA Authorization for Blood Collection
Venipuncture is central to many diagnostic pathways, but routine blood collection can be affected by staffing constraints and procedural variability that influence consistency and patient experience.... Read more
Interoperable Data Platform Standardizes Multi-Cancer Blood Test Results
Proteotype Diagnostics has introduced Alchemi, a proprietary data and clinical workflow platform being developed for Enlighten, the company’s investigational blood-based multi-cancer test.... Read more
Industry
view channel
Tumor-Informed MRD Assay Gains Medicare Coverage for Immunotherapy Monitoring
NeoGenomics’ RaDaR ST molecular residual disease (MRD) assay has received expanded coverage from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Molecular Diagnostic Services Program (MolDX) for monitoring... Read more
