A CRISPR-Cas12a-based Universal Rapid Scrub Typhus Diagnostic Method Targeting 16S RRNA of Orientia Tsutsugamushi

Overview

Journal PLoS Negl Trop Dis

Date 2025 Jan 22

PMID 39841710

Authors

Bum Ju Park

Sang Taek Heo

Misun Kim

Jeong Rae Yoo

Eun Jin Bae

Su Yeon Kang

Sunghoon Park

Kyeo Re Han

Keun Hwa Lee

Jae Myun Lee

Hyeyoung Lee

Yoon-Jae Song

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Scrub typhus is caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi infection and occurs frequently in an area called the Tsutsugamushi Triangle. Currently, there is no vaccine for O. tsutsugamushi, and its infection is treated with antibiotics such as doxycycline. Scrub typhus responds to effective treatment, and early treatment shortens the course of the disease, reduces mortality, and accelerates recovery. Therefore, it is important to rapidly diagnose O. tsutsugamushi infection to ensure successful outcomes. Here, we developed a CRISPR-Cas12a-based diagnostic method targeting the bacterial 16S rRNA to detect O. tsutsugamushi infection of all known genotypes. To reduce the possibility of contamination and increase field applicability, we designed the one-pot assay system in addition to conventional two-pot assay system. Using this method, we successfully detected up to 100 copies of in vitro transcribed O. tsutsugamushi 16S rRNA within 1 hour under isothermal conditions. In blood samples from patients confirmed to be infected with O. tsutsugamushi by nested PCR, the developed method exhibited a clinical sensitivity of 98% and high specificity. These data demonstrate that the presented method is applicable for the rapid and universal diagnosis of scrub typhus to facilitate timely and appropriate treatment.

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