[Methods of isothermal nucleic acid amplification-based microfluidic chips for pathogen microorganism detection]

Rapid detection of pathogenic microorganisms is key to the epidemiologic identification, prevention and control of disease in the field of public health. PCR-based pathogen detection methods have been widely used because they overcome the time-consuming issues that traditional culture-based methods required including the limited window required by immunological detection. However, the requirement on precision temperature-controlled thermal cyclers severely limits their use in resource-limited areas. The detection methods of pathogenic microorganisms based on isothermal amplification of nucleic acids are free of dependence on high-precision temperature control equipment, but requirements for nucleic acids extraction, amplification and detection must be defined. In recent years, a number of alternative methods for pathogenic microorganism detection have been developed by combining microfluidic technology with nucleic acid isothermal amplification technology. By designing the chip structures, optimizing the injection modes, and utilizing multiple detection and quantitative methods, the integration of pathogen nucleic acid extraction, amplification and detection is achieved. The method provides advantages of less instrument dependence, decreased operator requirements, smaller sample size, and higher automation which are suitable for the rapid detection of pathogenic microorganisms in various environments. In this review, we summarize several microfluidic detection methods based on nucleic acid isothermal amplification for pathogens including amplification principles, injection methods and detection methods. These methods provide more capability for the rapid screening of pathogenic microorganisms which enhances the management of infectious diseases in the field of public health.