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Indraratna AD, Mytton S, Ricafrente A, Millar D, Gorman J, Azzopardi KI, Frost HR, Osowicki J, Steer AC, Skropeta D, Sanderson-Smith ML. A highly sensitive 3base™ assay for detecting Streptococcus pyogenes in saliva during controlled human pharyngitis. Talanta 2024; 276:126221. [PMID: 38776768 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2024.126221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Streptococcus; GAS) is a Gram-positive bacterium responsible for substantial human mortality and morbidity. Conventional diagnosis of GAS pharyngitis relies on throat swab culture, a low-throughput, slow, and relatively invasive 'gold standard'. While molecular approaches are becoming increasingly utilized, the potential of saliva as a diagnostic fluid for GAS infection remains largely unexplored. Here, we present a novel, high-throughput, sensitive, and robust speB qPCR assay that reliably detects GAS in saliva using innovative 3base™ technology (Genetic Signatures Limited, Sydney, Australia). The assay has been validated on baseline, acute, and convalescent saliva samples generated from the Controlled Human Infection for Vaccination Against Streptococcus (CHIVAS-M75) trial, in which healthy adult participants were challenged with emm75 GAS. In these well-defined samples, our high-throughput assay outperforms throat culture and conventional qPCR in saliva respectively, affirming the utility of the 3base™ platform, demonstrating the feasibility of saliva as a diagnostic biofluid, and paving the way for the development of novel non-invasive approaches for the detection of GAS and other oropharyngeal pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anuk D Indraratna
- Molecular Horizons, School of Chemistry & Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, New South Wales, 2522, Australia
| | - Sacha Mytton
- Genetic Signatures Limited, 7 Eliza Street, Newtown, New South Wales, 2042, Australia
| | - Alison Ricafrente
- Genetic Signatures Limited, 7 Eliza Street, Newtown, New South Wales, 2042, Australia
| | - Doug Millar
- Genetic Signatures Limited, 7 Eliza Street, Newtown, New South Wales, 2042, Australia
| | - Jody Gorman
- Molecular Horizons, School of Chemistry & Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, New South Wales, 2522, Australia
| | - Kristy I Azzopardi
- Tropical Diseases, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, 50 Flemington Road, Melbourne, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Hannah R Frost
- Tropical Diseases, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, 50 Flemington Road, Melbourne, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Joshua Osowicki
- Tropical Diseases, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, 50 Flemington Road, Melbourne, Victoria, 3052, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia; Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of General Medicine, The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, 50 Flemington Road, Melbourne, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Andrew C Steer
- Tropical Diseases, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, 50 Flemington Road, Melbourne, Victoria, 3052, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia; Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of General Medicine, The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, 50 Flemington Road, Melbourne, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Danielle Skropeta
- Molecular Horizons, School of Chemistry & Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, New South Wales, 2522, Australia
| | - Martina L Sanderson-Smith
- Molecular Horizons, School of Chemistry & Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, New South Wales, 2522, Australia.
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McBride JA, DeMuri G, Nelson C, Cranley S, Alfaro E, Eickhoff J, Lim A, O'Connor S, Wald ER. Performance characteristics of "lollipop" swabs for the diagnosis of infection with SARS-CoV-2. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2024; 110:116404. [PMID: 38896889 DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2024.116404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Common biologic samples used to diagnose COVID-19 include nasopharyngeal, nasal, or oropharyngeal swabs, and salivary samples. The performance characteristics of a sucked "lollipop" swab to detect SARS-CoV-2 virus is assessed in four small sub-studies. METHODS In each sub-study, a flocked swab was sucked for 20 s and submitted for PCR detection of SARS-CoV-2 virus. RESULTS Across all studies, 52 of 69 (75.4%) COVID-19 positive participants had positive "lollipop" swabs. Twelve of the 17 COVID-19 positive participants with negative "lollipop" swabs had known corresponding cycle threshold values of >37 from their nasal/nasopharyngeal swabs, an indication of low viral load at time of sampling. In a paired samples sub-study, the sensitivity and specificity of the "lollipop" swabs were 100% and 98%. CONCLUSIONS "Lollipop" swabs performed satisfactorily especially in individuals with acute infection of COVID-19. "Lollipop" swabs are a simple method of sample collection for detecting SARS-CoV-2 virus and warrants additional consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph A McBride
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Department of Pediatrics Madison, WI, United States; Univeristy of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Medicine, Madison, WI, United States.
| | - Gregory DeMuri
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Department of Pediatrics Madison, WI, United States
| | - Cassandra Nelson
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Department of Pediatrics Madison, WI, United States
| | - Suzanne Cranley
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Department of Pediatrics Madison, WI, United States
| | - Elena Alfaro
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Department of Pediatrics Madison, WI, United States
| | - Jens Eickhoff
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Department of Pediatrics Madison, WI, United States
| | - Ailam Lim
- University of Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Madison, WI, United States
| | - Shelby O'Connor
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Madison WI, United States
| | - Ellen R Wald
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Department of Pediatrics Madison, WI, United States
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Tu WC, Jeacopello I, Blom A, Alfaro E, Shinkawa VAM, Hatchett DB, Sanchez JC, McManamen AM, Su X, Berthier E, Thongpang S, Wald ER, DeMuri GP, Theberge AB. Capture of Group A Streptococcus by Open-Microfluidic CandyCollect Device in Pediatric Patients. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2023.12.14.23299923. [PMID: 38168197 PMCID: PMC10760271 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.14.23299923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Importance Obtaining high-quality samples to diagnose streptococcal pharyngitis in pediatric patients is challenging due to discomfort associated with traditional pharyngeal swabs. This may cause reluctance to go to the clinic, inaccurate diagnosis, or inappropriate treatment for children with sore throat. Objective Determine the efficacy of using CandyCollect, a lollipop-inspired open-microfluidic pathogen collection device, to capture Group A Streptococcus (GAS) and compare user preference for CandyCollect, conventional pharyngeal swabs, or mouth swabs among children with pharyngitis and their caregivers. Design Participants of this cohort study were recruited over a 7-month period in 2022 - 2023. Setting This study was conducted at an ambulatory care clinic that serves pediatric patients in the Madison, Wisconsin, metropolitan area. Participants Study participants were diagnosed with GAS pharyngitis using a traditional pharyngeal swab via rapid antigen detection test (RADT); those testing positive were approached or reached out to about participation in the study. A total of 74 caregiver/children dyads were contacted about the study: 23 declined to participate; 21 were not eligible; and 30 willing and eligible participants were admitted into the study. A caregiver provided verbal consent and parental permission, and all children provided verbal assent. Immediately after the standard of care visit in which the throat swab was obtained, a research nurse guided participants through collecting oral samples: CandyCollect device and mouth swab (ESwab TM ). CandyCollect and mouth swab samples were analyzed for GAS by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) at the University of Washington. Exposure Detection of salivary GAS using qPCR analysis of samples obtained from CandyCollect devices and mouth swabs. Main Outcomes and Measures The proportion of pediatric patients with GAS pharyngitis, as determined by a positive pharyngeal swab tested via a RADT, who were also positive using a CandyCollect and mouth swab analyzed by qPCR. Results All child participants (30/30) were positive for GAS by qPCR on both the mouth swab and CandyCollect. Caregivers ranked CandyCollect as a good sampling method overall (27/30), and all caregivers (30/30) would recommend the CandyCollect for children 5 years and older. Twenty-three of 30 children "really like" the taste and 24/30 would prefer to use the CandyCollect if a future test was needed. All caregivers (30/30) and most children (28/30) would be willing to use the CandyCollect device at home. Conclusion and relevance All participants tested positive for GAS on all three collection methods (pharyngeal swab, mouth swab, and CandyCollect). While both caregivers and children like the CandyCollect device, some caregivers would prefer a shorter collection time. Future work includes additional studies with larger cohorts presenting with pharyngitis of unknown etiology and shortening collection time, while maintaining the attractive form of the device. Trial Registration Registry name: ClinicalTrials.gov ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05175196 Weblink: https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05175196. Key Points Question: In pediatric patients with Group A Streptococcus pharyngitis, how do test results and user experience compare across three sampling methods-CandyCollect devices, mouth swabs, and pharyngeal swabs?Findings: In this cohort study of 30 children, aged 5-14 years, saliva samples were collected with CandyCollect devices and mouth swabs and analyzed via qPCR. The results show CandyCollect, a pathogen collection tool preferred by children, had 100% concordance with the results from pharyngeal swabs positive with a rapid antigen detection test performed as part of their clinical care.Meaning: With further development and testing, the CandyCollect device may potentially become an alternative sampling tool for the diagnosis of streptococcal pharyngitis.
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Laxton CS, Peno C, Hahn AM, Allicock OM, Perniciaro S, Wyllie AL. The potential of saliva as an accessible and sensitive sample type for the detection of respiratory pathogens and host immunity. THE LANCET. MICROBE 2023; 4:e837-e850. [PMID: 37516121 DOI: 10.1016/s2666-5247(23)00135-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
Despite its prominence in early scientific records, the usefulness of saliva as a respiratory specimen has been de-emphasised over the past century. However, due to its low cost and reliance on specific supply chains and the non-invasive nature of its collection, its benefits over swab-based specimens are again becoming increasingly recognised. These benefits were highlighted over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, where saliva emerged as a more practical, clinically non-inferior sample type for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 and saw numerous saliva-based diagnostic tests approved for clinical use. Looking forward, as saliva uniquely contains both respiratory secretions and immunological components, it has potentially wide applications, ranging from clinical diagnostics to post-vaccine disease burden and immunity surveillance. This Personal View seeks to summarise the existing evidence for the use of saliva in detecting respiratory pathogens, beyond SARS-CoV-2, as well as detailing methodological factors that can influence sample quality and thus, clinical utility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire S Laxton
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Chikondi Peno
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Anne M Hahn
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Orchid M Allicock
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Stephanie Perniciaro
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Anne L Wyllie
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA.
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Tu WC, McManamen AM, Su X, Jeacopello I, Takezawa MG, Hieber DL, Hassan GW, Lee UN, Anana EV, Locknane MP, Stephenson MW, Shinkawa VAM, Wald ER, DeMuri GP, Adams KN, Berthier E, Thongpang S, Theberge AB. At-Home Saliva Sampling in Healthy Adults Using CandyCollect, a Lollipop-Inspired Device. Anal Chem 2023; 95:10211-10220. [PMID: 37364037 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c00462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Respiratory infections are common in children, and there is a need for user-friendly collection methods. Here, we performed the first human subjects study using the CandyCollect device, a lollipop-inspired saliva collection device .We showed that the CandyCollect device can be used to collect salivary bacteria from healthy adults using Streptococcus mutans and Staphylococcus aureus as proof-of-concept commensal bacteria. We enrolled healthy adults in a nationwide (USA) remote study in which participants were sent study packages containing CandyCollect devices and traditional commercially available oral swabs and spit tubes. Participants sampled themselves at home, completed usability and user preference surveys, and mailed the samples back to our laboratory for analysis by qPCR. Our results showed that for participants in which a given bacterium (S. mutans or S. aureus) was detected in one or both of the commercially available methods (oral swab and/or spit tubes), CandyCollect devices had a 100% concordance with the positive result (n = 14 participants). Furthermore, the CandyCollect device was ranked the highest preference sampling method among the three sampling methods by 26 participants surveyed (combining survey results across two enrollment groups). We also showed that the CandyCollect device has a shelf life of up to 1 year at room temperature, a storage period that is convenient for clinics or patients to keep the CandyCollect device and use it any time. Taken together, we have demonstrated that the CandyCollect is a user-friendly saliva collection tool that has the potential to be incorporated into diagnostic assays in clinic visits and telemedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan-Chen Tu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Anika M McManamen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Xiaojing Su
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Ingrid Jeacopello
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Meg G Takezawa
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Damielle L Hieber
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Grant W Hassan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Ulri N Lee
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Eden V Anana
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Mason P Locknane
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Molly W Stephenson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Victoria A M Shinkawa
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Ellen R Wald
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin 53792, United States
| | - Gregory P DeMuri
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin 53792, United States
| | - Karen N Adams
- Institute of Translational Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98109, United States
| | - Erwin Berthier
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Sanitta Thongpang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University, Nakorn Pathom 73170, Thailand
| | - Ashleigh B Theberge
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
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6
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Tu WC, McManamen AM, Su X, Jeacopello I, Takezawa MG, Hieber DL, Hassan GW, Lee UN, Anana EV, Locknane MP, Stephenson MW, Shinkawa VAM, Wald ER, DeMuri GP, Adams K, Berthier E, Thongpang S, Theberge AB. At-home saliva sampling in healthy adults using CandyCollect, a lollipop-inspired device. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.14.524039. [PMID: 36711895 PMCID: PMC9882111 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.14.524039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Respiratory infections are common in children, and there is a need for user-friendly collection methods. Here, we performed the first human subjects study using the CandyCollect device, a lollipop inspired saliva collection device. 1 We showed the CandyCollect device can be used to collect salivary bacteria from healthy adults using Streptococcus mutans and Staphylococcus aureus as proof-of-concept commensal bacteria. We enrolled healthy adults in a nationwide (USA) remote study in which participants were sent study packages containing CandyCollect devices and traditional commercially available oral swabs and spit tubes. Participants sampled themselves at home, completed usability and user preference surveys, and mailed the samples back to our laboratory for analysis by qPCR. Our results showed that for participants in which a given bacterium ( S. mutans or S. aureus ) was detected in one or both of the commercially available methods (oral swab and/or spit tubes), CandyCollect devices had a 100% concordance with the positive result (n=14 participants). Furthermore, the CandyCollect device was ranked the highest preference sampling method among the three sampling methods by 26 participants surveyed (combining survey results across two enrollment groups). We also showed that the CandyCollect device has a shelf life of up to 1 year at room temperature, a storage period that is convenient for clinics or patients to keep the CandyCollect device and use it any time. Taken together, we have demonstrated that the CandyCollect is a user-friendly saliva collection tool that has the potential to be incorporated into diagnostic assays in clinic visits and telemedicine. For Table of Contents Only
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