One-pot recombinase polymerase amplification and CRISPR/Cas12a assay for Cryptococcus neoformans

Cryptococcus neoformans, an opportunistic fungal pathogen, can induce central nervous system infections, posing a life-threatening risk and imposing substantial global health challenges and economic burdens. Given the significant reduction in mortality achieved through early monitoring of C. neoformans, there is an urgent demand for a rapid detection method for this pathogen. Herein, we developed a rapid, sensitive, and specific assay for the detection of C. neoformans based on a one-pot recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) and CRISPR/Cas12a system, which can be read using a real-time fluorescent PCR instrument or lateral flow strips. This assay exhibits high sensitivity, with a detection limit of 1 copy/µL for C. neoformans, and no cross-reactivity was observed across different fungal strains. Notably, the assay can be performed in harsh environments without reliance on complex equipment, making it suitable for point-of-care testing (POCT). Collectively, this method not only provides a robust alternative for C. neoformans detection but also offers valuable insights for the identification of other fungal pathogens. KEY POINTS: • We developed a one-pot RPA and CRISPR/Cas12a assay to detect Cryptococcus neoformans. • This assay exhibits high sensitivity and specificity. • Detection results can be obtained by three ways which is suitable for POCT.