Rapid Molecular Detection of Zika Virus in Acute-Phase Urine Samples Using the Recombinase Polymerase Amplification Assay

Citation

El Wahed AA, Sanabani SS, Faye O, Pessoa R, Patriota JV, Giorgi RR, Patel P, Bohlken-Fascher S, Landt O, Niedrig M, Zanotto PMDA, Czerny C, Sall AA & Weidmann M (2017) Rapid Molecular Detection of Zika Virus in Acute-Phase Urine Samples Using the Recombinase Polymerase Amplification Assay. PLOS Currents: Outbreaks, (1), Art. No.: 9. https://doi.org/10.1371/currents.outbreaks.a7f1db2c7d66c3fc0ea0a774305d319e

Abstract
Background: Currently the detection of Zika virus (ZIKV) in patient samples is done by real-time RT-PCR. Samples collected from rural area are sent to highly equipped laboratories for screening. A rapid point-ofcare test is needed to detect the virus, especially at low resource settings.  Methodology/Principal Findings: In this report, we describe the development of a reverse transcription isothermal recombinase polymerase amplification (RT-RPA) assay for the identification of ZIKV. RT-RPA assay was portable, sensitive (21 RNA molecules), and rapid (3-15 minutes). No cross-reactivity was detected to other flaviviruses, alphaviruses and arboviruses. Compared to real-time RT-PCR, the diagnostic sensitivity was 92%, while the specificity was 100%.  Conclusions/Significance: The developed assay is a promising platform for rapid point of need detection of ZIKV in low resource settings and elsewhere (e.g. during mass gathering).

Journal
PLOS Currents: Outbreaks, Issue 1

• Published version