Development and In-House Validation of an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay and a Lateral Flow Immunoassay for the Dosage of Tenofovir in Human Saliva

Recommendations on Rapid Diagnostic Point-of-care Molecular Tests for Respiratory Infections in the United Arab Emirates

Traditional testing methods in the Middle East Region, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), particularly the testing of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), influenza, group A streptococcus (GAS), and COVID-19 have the potential to be upgraded to new and advanced diagnostics methods that improve lead time to diagnosis, consumption of healthcare resources and patient experience. In addition, based on the research, it was reported that there is an underreporting of respiratory cases, overuse of antibiotics, and prolonged hospitalizations which is posing pressure on UAE healthcare stakeholders. A literature review was done exploring UAE's current diagnostic practices, recommended guidelines, diagnostic gaps, and challenges in RSV, GAS, Influenza, and COVID-19. This was followed by stakeholder discussions focusing on assessing current diagnostic practices, usage of rapid molecular point-of-care (POC) diagnostic tests, current gaps in diagnosis, targeted profiles for POC testing, and potential impact on patient management for targeted respiratory infections. A round table discussion with healthcare experts, insurance experts, key opinion leaders, and pulmonologists discussed challenges and opportunities in treating respiratory diseases. UAE healthcare stakeholders suggest that introducing alternative and up-to-date diagnostic methods such as POC molecular testing is expected to improve healthcare outcomes, optimize resources, and develop a robust case management of respiratory tract infections. It is essential to emphasize that by introducing POC testing, precision medicine is reinforced, efficiency is achieved, and the overall management of population health is enhanced.

Transforming respiratory tract infection diagnosis in the kingdom of saudi arabia through point-of-care testing: A white paper for policy makers

With the evident increased prevalence of respiratory tract infections (RTIs) such as Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), influenza, Group A Streptococcus (GAS), and COVID-19, the conventional diagnostic methods are considered sub-optimal in providing timely management to patients in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Gaps in current diagnostics are magnified by the Kingdom's unique demographic composition, comprising 11.9 million foreign workers, and the annual influx of over 10 million pilgrims. Current gaps in timely diagnosis leads to delays in treatment, misuse of antibiotics, and protracted hospital stays, subsequently compromising patient care, and escalating healthcare costs. KSA healthcare stakeholders suggest that the integration of rapid molecular Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) into the Kingdom's healthcare infrastructure is an absolute necessity. This publication serves as an urgent call for action aimed at healthcare policymakers in Saudi Arabia, to review the existing diagnostic challenges and include rapid POCTs in the Saudi healthcare strategy for respiratory infections.

An ALP enzyme-based electrochemical biosensor coated with signal-amplifying BaTiO3 nanoparticles for the detection of an antiviral drug in human blood serum

Tenofovir (TFV) is an antiviral drug used to treat the co-infections of HIV/HBV viruses. Accurate monitoring of TFV drug levels is essential for evaluating patient adherence, optimizing dosage, and assessing treatment efficacy. Herein, we propose an innovative electrochemical sensing approach by using the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzyme with the support of BaTiO3 nanoparticles. An attractive sensitivity and selectivity of the developed sensor towards TFV detection were achieved. First, the nanoparticles were synthesized by following a single-step sol-gel method and characterized through various analytical techniques, including SEM, EDX, FT-IR, BET, zeta potential, XRD, and UV-vis and Raman spectroscopy. The suggested mechanism demonstrated the formation of a strong bond between TFV and the ALP enzyme, primarily through the phosphate group, resulting in enzyme inhibition. Various parameters like nanoparticle amount, electrode modification time with enzyme and BaTiO3 nanoparticles, and drug incubation time were optimized. The biosensor demonstrated an outstanding limit of detection (LOD) of 0.09 nM and recovery percentages of 98.6-106% in human blood serum, indicating adequate repeatability and selectivity. The proposed biosensor can be converted into a portable device for measuring small sample volumes and observing patients for immediate medical care or personalized therapies. It achieved better sensitivity compared to existing methods, making it suitable for precise drug detection in microdoses.