SARS-CoV-2 detection using reverse transcription strand invasion based amplification and a portable compact size instrument.

Rapid nucleic-acid based tests that can be performed by non-professionals outside laboratory settings could help the containment of the pandemic SARS-CoV-2 virus and may potentially prevent further widespread lockdowns. Here, we present a novel compact portable detection instrument (the Egoo Health System) for extraction-free detection of SARS-CoV-2 using isothermal reverse transcription strand invasion based amplification (RT-SIBA). The SARS-CoV-2 RT-SIBA assay can be performed directly on crude oropharyngeal swabs without nucleic acid extraction with a reaction time of 30 min. The Egoo Health system uses a capsule system, which is automatically sealed tight in the Egoo instrument after applying the sample, resulting in a closed system optimal for molecular isothermal amplification. The performance of the Egoo Health System is comparable to the PCR instrument with an analytical sensitivity of 25 viral RNA copies per SARS-CoV-2 RT-SIBA reaction and a clinical sensitivity and specificity between 87.0-98.4% and 96.6-98.2% respectively.

RT-isoPCR: nested, high multiplex mRNA amplification.

RT-isoPCR provides multiplex amplification of mRNA targets using a first-stage multiplex RT-PCR reaction with subsequent isothermal amplification for individual target loci detection. We demonstrate detection of 24 mRNA targets with high specificity and sensitivity without compromising sample variation or introducing biases between targets.

IsoPCR: an analytically sensitive, nested, multiplex nucleic acid amplification method.

BACKGROUND: Nucleic acid tests that can simultaneously detect multiple targets with high sensitivity, specificity, and speed are highly desirable. To meet this need, we developed a new approach we call the isoPCR method. METHODS: The isoPCR method is a 2-stage nested-like nucleic acid amplification method that combines a single multiplex preamplification PCR with subsequent distinct detection of specific targets by use of isothermal amplification. We compared isoPCR to nested quantitative PCR (qPCR), loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), and nested LAMP (PCR followed by LAMP), for detection of DNA from Candida glabrata. We evaluated the method's multiplex capability for detecting low copy numbers of pathogens commonly involved in sepsis. RESULTS: IsoPCR provided detection of 1 copy of Candida glabrata, an LOD that was 5-fold lower than a nested qPCR assay (5 copies), while the amplification time was simultaneously halved. Similarly, the LOD for isoPCR was lower than that for a LAMP assay (1000 copies) and a nested LAMP assay (5 copies). IsoPCR required recognition of 6 regions for detection, thereby providing a theoretically higher specificity compared to nested qPCR (4 regions). The isoPCR multiplexing capability was demonstrated by simultaneous detection of 4 pathogens with individual LODs of 10 copies or fewer. Furthermore, the specificity of isoPCR was demonstrated by successful pathogen detection from samples with more than 1 pathogen present. CONCLUSIONS: IsoPCR provides a molecular diagnostic tool for multiplex nucleic acid detection, with an LOD down to 1 copy, high theoretical specificity, and halving of the amplification time compared to a nested qPCR assay.

Restriction fragment differential display of pediocin-resistant Listeria monocytogenes 412 mutants shows consistent overexpression of a putative beta-glucoside-specific PTS system.

Pediocin PA-1, which is a bacteriocin produced by lactic acid bacteria, has potential as a biopreservative of food. However, such use may lead to the development of resistance in the target organism. Gene expression in two independent pediocin-resistant mutants of Listeria monocytogenes 412 was compared to the original isolate by restriction fragment differential display PCR (RFDD-PCR). This method amplifies cDNA restriction fragments under stringent PCR conditions, enabled by the use of specific primers complementary to ligated adaptor sequences. RFDD-PCR was very well suited for analysis of listerial gene expression, giving reproducible PCR product profiles. Three gene fragments having increased expression in both resistant mutants were identified. All three had homology to components of beta-glucoside-specific phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent phosphotransferase systems (PTS), one fragment having homology to enzyme II permeases, and the two others to phospho-beta-glucosidases. Overexpression of the putative PTS system was consistently observed in 10 additional pediocin-resistant mutants, isolated at different pH, salt content and temperature. The results suggest that RFDD-PCR is a strong approach for the analysis of prokaryotic gene expression and that the putative beta-glucoside-specific PTS system is involved in mediating pediocin resistance.