Paper-Based DNA Reader for Visualized Quantification of Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infections

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Diagnostics
• Molecular Biology
• Parasitology

Background:

• Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections affect one-third of the global population, particularly in resource-limited regions.
• Accurate STH diagnosis requires portable, inexpensive, and user-friendly analytical tools.
• Current diagnostic methods often lack the necessary portability and affordability for widespread use in endemic areas.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel, portable, and quantitative diagnostic device for molecular detection of STH.
• To establish a distance-based readout system for DNA quantification, eliminating the need for external instruments.
• To validate the device's efficacy in detecting STH genetic markers in a real-world setting.

Main Methods:

• Introduction of the quantitative paper-based DNA reader (qPDR), a paper-based device utilizing SYBR Green I and cellulose interactions.
• Development of a distance-based quantification method for double-stranded DNA.
• Integration of qPDR with smartphone-controlled portable polymerase chain reaction (PCR) thermal cycler.
• Application of the integrated system to detect genetic markers of Trichuris trichiura in patient samples.

Main Results:

• The qPDR device achieved distance-based quantification of DNA in as little as 6 minutes.
• The system demonstrated the ability to quantify minute amounts of STH genetic markers.
• Successful detection of Trichuris trichiura genetic markers from expelled adult worms in children treated for STH in Honduras.

Conclusions:

• The qPDR offers a promising, low-cost, and portable solution for molecular diagnosis of STH infections.
• This technology can significantly improve STH surveillance and diagnosis in resource-limited settings.
• The developed diagnostic approach holds potential for broader applications in molecular diagnostics for infectious diseases.