CRISPR diagnostics for WHO high-priority sexually transmitted infections

Abstract

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) pose a global health threat. Most of these infections are curable if detected in a timely and accurate manner. In 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) initiated a programme aimed at identifying key research areas and addressing the needs for controlling the unabated STIs. Among the 40 priority research needs identified, the development of detection methods that meet WHO's ASSURED criteria (accurate, sensitive, specific, user-friendly, rapid, equipment-free, and deliverable to end user) remained one of the top priorities, particularly for syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. The existing detection methods for these STIs do not fully meet the ASSURED criteria. CRISPR technology has garnered substantial research attention as a promising diagnostic tool for both infectious and non-infectious diseases. Given its importance in diagnostics, this review discusses the applications of CRISPR/Cas systems for detecting WHO high-priority STIs. We provide an account of CRISPR-based diagnostics for syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea, highlight existing research gaps, and propose solutions that can contribute to WHO's 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the healthcare sector.