Sample preparation: a challenge in the development of point-of-care nucleic acid-based assays for resource-limited settings

Abstract Background Treatment of HCV with direct-acting antivirals has enabled the discussion of HCV eradication worldwide. Envisioning this aim requires implementation of mass screening in resource-limited areas, usually constrained by testing costs. Methods We validated a low-cost, rapid diagnosis test (RDT) for HCV in three different continents in 141 individuals. Results The HCV RDT showed 100% specificity and sensitivity across different samples regardless of genotype or viral load (in samples with such information, 90%). Conclusions The HCV test validated in this study can allow for HCV screening in areas of need when properly used.

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Nitrocellulose-bound achromopeptidase for point-of-care nucleic acid tests

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-85481-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Georgios Chondrogiannis ◽

Shirin Khaliliazar ◽

Anna Toldrà ◽

Pedro Réu ◽

Mahiar M. Hamedi

Keyword(s):

Nucleic Acid ◽

Sample Preparation ◽

Point Of Care ◽

Dna Amplification ◽

Recombinase Polymerase Amplification ◽

Gram Positive ◽

Gram Positive Bacteria ◽

Enzymatic Function ◽

Modern Biotechnology ◽

Nucleic Acid Tests

AbstractEnzymes are the cornerstone of modern biotechnology. Achromopeptidase (ACP) is a well-known enzyme that hydrolyzes a number of proteins, notably proteins on the surface of Gram-positive bacteria. It is therefore used for sample preparation in nucleic acid tests. However, ACP inhibits DNA amplification which makes its integration difficult. Heat is commonly used to inactivate ACP, but it can be challenging to integrate heating into point-of-care devices. Here, we use recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) together with ACP, and show that when ACP is immobilized on nitrocellulose paper, it retains its enzymatic function and can easily and rapidly be activated using agitation. The nitrocellulose-bound ACP does, however, not leak into the solution, preventing the need for deactivation through heat or by other means. Nitrocellulose-bound ACP thus opens new possibilities for paper-based Point-of-Care (POC) devices.

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Multi-Angle Lensfree Holographic Imaging for 3-D Cytometry on a Chip

ASME 2010 5th Frontiers in Biomedical Devices Conference and Exhibition ◽

10.1115/biomed2010-32009 ◽

2010 ◽

Author(s):

Ting-Wei Su ◽

Serhan O. Isikman ◽

Waheb Bishara ◽

Derek K. Tseng ◽

Anthony Erlinger ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Optical Microscopy ◽

Biomedical Applications ◽

Point Of Care ◽

Resource Limited Settings ◽

Holographic Imaging ◽

Essential Tool ◽

Resource Limited

Optical microscopy is an essential tool for many biomedical applications. Although commonly-used in laboratory settings, conventional optical microscopes are bulky and relatively costly to use in resource-limited settings which partially limit their use in point-of-care applications.

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Implementation and Scale Up of Point of Care (POC) Diagnostics in Resource-Limited Settings

10.3390/books978-3-03943-171-7 ◽

2020 ◽

Keyword(s):

Point Of Care ◽

Scale Up ◽

Resource Limited Settings ◽

Resource Limited

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Experiential Learning Curriculum Delivery Approach for Quality Improvement in Resource Limited Settings: Mobile Learning for Point-of-Care Technologies

Global Journal of Health Science ◽

10.5539/gjhs.v11n13p158 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (13) ◽

pp. 158

Author(s):

Nkosinothando Chamane ◽

Tivani Phosa Mashamba-Thompson

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Primary Health Care ◽

Experiential Learning ◽

Service Delivery ◽

Point Of Care ◽

Service Improvement ◽

Quality Service ◽

Resource Limited Settings ◽

Primary Health ◽

Resource Limited

BACKGROUND: Despite impressive progress that has been made in the provision of health care services to all, the issue of quality service delivery still remains a challenge particularly for point-of-care (POC) diagnostics in resource-limited-settings. Poor competency of primary health care workers in these settings has been shown to be amongst the main contributors to poor quality service delivery. FINDINGS: Participatory-based continuous professional development (CPD) strategies to support technology advancements in health care are recommended. Experiential learning approaches have been shown to be efficient in supplementing traditional teaching methods for both health care students and professionals. These approaches have been shown to further contribute towards continuous skills development and lifelong learning. CONCLUSION: This review therefore provided an overview of literature on experiential learning as one of CPD approaches in relation to health care service improvement in resource-limited setting. In addition, this review has recommended a mobile-based experiential learning approach to help deliver a quality POC technology curriculum to Primary health care-based workers in resource-limited settings.

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A Scoping Review Protocol for Supply Chain Management Systems for Point of Care Diagnostics Services: Optimising COVID-19 Testing Capacity in Resource-limited Settings

10.21203/rs.3.rs-591015/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Kuhlula Maluleke ◽

Thobeka Dlangalala ◽

Alfred Musekiwa ◽

Kabelo Kgarosi ◽

Sphamandla Nkambule ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Supply Chain ◽

Supply Chain Management ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Point Of Care ◽

Scientific Journal ◽

World Health ◽

Future Research ◽

Resource Limited Settings ◽

Chain Management ◽

Resource Limited

Abstract BackgroundRapid and specific diagnostic tests are essential for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) testing to allow prompt isolation and early treatment initiation if necessary. Currently, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests are the gold standard for SARS-CoV-2 testing but are difficult to implement in resource-limited settings with poor access to laboratory infrastructure. Point of care (POC) testing may be more feasible in resource-limited settings because POC testing is cost-effective, easy to perform, results are rapid, and they can be performed at all levels of healthcare by health professionals with minimal training. To ensure equitable access, it is important that SARS-CoV-2 testing is optimised through well-established supply chain management (SCM). Here we outline a protocol for a scoping review aimed at mapping literature on SCM for POC testing in resource limited settings to guide both future research and the implementation of SARS-CoV-2 POC diagnostics. MethodologyThis scoping review will be guided by an adapted version of the Arksey and O’Malley methodological framework. We will search the Medline Ovid, Medline EBSCO, Scopus, PubMed, PsychInfo, Web of Science and EBSCOHost databases. We will search gray literature in the form of dissertations/theses, conference proceedings, websites of international organisations such as the World Health Organisation and government reports. We will include articles reporting evidence published since inception. Language restrictions will not be applied. We will use a search summary table to test the effectiveness of the search strategy. Two reviewers will screen eligible studies using a tool developed for this scoping review. The quality of the included studies will be appraised using the mixed method appraisal tool (MMAT) version 2018. Discussion The proposed scoping review will gather relevant studies on SCM systems for POC diagnostics services globally. We anticipate that this review’s findings will guide future research on SCM systems for POC diagnostics services in resource-limited settings. The results will be published in a scientific journal, presented at relevant conferences and form part of workshops with key stakeholders involved in SCM systems for POC diagnostics services.

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