Credit: American Chemical Society
Anxiety over the Zika virus is growing as the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro approach. To better diagnose and track the disease, scientists are now reporting in ACS’ journal Analytical Chemistry a new $2 test that in the lab can accurately detect low levels of the virus in saliva.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently announced that there was no need to postpone or move the Olympics due to Zika’s presence, but concern over the virus’ spread and its link to serious birth defects is far from allayed. Public health experts debate whether WHO made the right call. But while the discussion continues, scientists are working on new tools to help manage the outbreak. Current gold-standard tests to detect the virus require expensive lab equipment and trained personnel. Low-cost diagnostic methods have been reported but can’t detect low levels of the disease or don’t distinguish between Zika and similar viruses such as dengue. Changchun Liu and colleagues wanted to design a rapid, low-cost, and more reliable point-of-care detection test.
To ensure their system would be highly selective for Zika without confusing it with similar viruses, the researchers looked for and found a stretch of genetic code that is nearly identical for 19 different strains of the Zika virus infecting people in the Americas but not in other pathogens. Then, with materials costing $2 per test, they developed a diagnostic system, which only requires the addition of water to operate. If the Zika-specific genetic sequence is in a saliva sample, a dye within the system will turn blue within 40 minutes. The test even works if low levels of the sequence are present.
The Latest on: Zika test
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Zika test” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Zika test
- Enhancing Health Communication for Epidemic Preventionon April 27, 2024 at 9:56 am
Effective public health communication is essential for Africa, confronted with numerous infectious disease epidemics and public health crises.
- Improving health communication to save lives during epidemicson April 25, 2024 at 3:10 pm
Zika and other public health emergencies, effective communication of public health messages is crucial to control the spread of disease, maintain public trust, and encourage compliance with health ...
- DNA vaccine against Zika performs well in tests on miceon April 18, 2024 at 9:47 am
In Brazil, researchers at the University of São Paulo (USP) and the Pernambuco division of Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ) are developing a Zika vaccine. The formulation was tested on mice and found ...
- New diagnostic tool achieves accuracy of PCR tests with faster and simpler nanopore systemon April 17, 2024 at 7:56 pm
A new diagnostic tool developed by researchers can test for SARS-CoV-2 and Zika virus with the same or better accuracy as high-precision PCR tests in a matter of hours.
- Zika Rash: Everything You Need to Knowon April 17, 2024 at 11:56 am
Zika rash is one of the main symptoms of Zika virus, an infection spread by mosquitoes, animal bites, and from person to person via sexual intercourse, blood transfusions, and from a pregnant person ...
- Zika Rash: Everything You Need to Knowon April 17, 2024 at 11:56 am
The rash is made up of small, red dots, but not all patients experience it Medically reviewed by Brendan Camp, MD Zika rash is one of the main symptoms of Zika virus, an infection spread by ...
- Zika Rash: Everything You Need to Knowon April 16, 2024 at 5:01 pm
The rash is made up of small, red dots, but not all patients experience it Medically reviewed by Brendan Camp, MD Zika rash is one of the main symptoms of Zika virus, an infection spread by mosquitoes ...
- New diagnostic tool achieves accuracy of PCR tests with faster and simpler nanopore systemon April 7, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Now a new diagnostic tool developed by UC Santa Cruz Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Holger Schmidt and his collaborators can test for SARS-CoV-2 and Zika virus with ...
- Zika viruson March 31, 2024 at 1:47 am
Zika virus disease is mainly spread by mosquitoes. For most people it is a very mild infection and isn’t harmful but it may be more serious for pregnant women HOLIDAY makers heading across the ...
- SLU Researchers Predict Zika Hot Spots in the U.S.on July 11, 2023 at 6:09 am
Where in the continental United States is Zika most likely to occur? An early online article in the American Journal of Public Health by Saint Louis University researchers puts the bulls-eye of Zika ...
via Bing News
