Vitória de Oliveira Arruda, Luiz Ricardo Goulart Filho, Adriana Freitas Neves
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Current diagnostic methods for dengue, such as serological tests, have limitations in terms of cross-reactivity with other viruses. To address this issue, we explored the potential of combining the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technique with the affinity of aptamers to develop point-of-care testing. In this study, we utilized 60 serum samples. An aptamer capable of binding to the dengue virus was employed as a platform for capturing genetic material, and its performance was compared to a commercial kit. Dengue virus was detected through RT-PCR and colorimetric reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP), allowing visual observation of the results without the need for equipment. In the context of the aptamer LAMP assay, our analysis revealed the detection of the dengue virus in 38 out of 60 samples, with 95% sensitivity and 100% specificity compared to RT-PCR and/or APTA-RT-PCR. Importantly, we observed no cross-reaction when assessing samples positive for the zika virus, underscoring the assay's selectivity. This innovative aptameric capture of the viral RNA in combination with the RT-LAMP (APTA-RT-LAMP) method has the potential to offer valuable molecular insights into neglected infectious diseases in a simpler and faster manner.
Importance: Dengue is a neglected tropical disease of significant epidemiological importance in tropical and subtropical countries. Current diagnostics for this infection present challenges, such as cross-reactivity in serological tests. Finding ways to enhance the diagnosis of this disease is crucial, given the absence of specific treatments. An accurate, simple, and effective diagnosis contributes to the improved management of infected individuals. In this context, our work combines molecular biology techniques, such as isothermal loop amplification, with aptamers to detect the dengue virus in biological samples. Our method produces colorimetric results based on a color change, with outcomes available in less than 2 hours. Moreover, it requires simpler equipment compared to molecular PCR tests.
期刊介绍:
Microbiology Spectrum publishes commissioned review articles on topics in microbiology representing ten content areas: Archaea; Food Microbiology; Bacterial Genetics, Cell Biology, and Physiology; Clinical Microbiology; Environmental Microbiology and Ecology; Eukaryotic Microbes; Genomics, Computational, and Synthetic Microbiology; Immunology; Pathogenesis; and Virology. Reviews are interrelated, with each review linking to other related content. A large board of Microbiology Spectrum editors aids in the development of topics for potential reviews and in the identification of an editor, or editors, who shepherd each collection.