Recombinase polymerase amplification assay for rapid detection of Francisella tularensis

J Clin Microbiol. 2012 Jul;50(7):2234-8. doi: 10.1128/JCM.06504-11. Epub 2012 Apr 18.

Abstract

Several real-time PCR approaches to develop field detection for Francisella tularensis, the infectious agent causing tularemia, have been explored. We report the development of a novel qualitative real-time isothermal recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) assay for use on a small ESEQuant Tube Scanner device. The analytical sensitivity and specificity were tested using a plasmid standard and DNA extracts from infected rabbit tissues. The assay showed a performance comparable to real-time PCR but reduced the assay time to 10 min. The rapid RPA method has great application potential for field use or point-of-care diagnostics.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacteriological Techniques / methods*
  • Francisella tularensis / genetics
  • Francisella tularensis / isolation & purification*
  • Humans
  • Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / methods*
  • Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques / methods*
  • Point-of-Care Systems
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Temperature
  • Time Factors
  • Tularemia / diagnosis*