The role of bio-detection dogs in prevention and diagnosis of infectious disease: A systematic review

Novel miniaturized fluorescence loop-mediated isothermal amplification detection system for rapid on-site virus detection

New pathogen outbreaks have progressed rapidly and are highly infectious in recent years, increasing the urgency of rapid and accurate detection of pathogenic microorganisms. Based on the point-of-care testing (POCT) requirements, in this study, a real-time fluorescent loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) detection system was developed and applied to pathogen detection. The system is compact and portable, with good uniformity and reproducibility, and it can detect pathogens rapidly and effectively. For norovirus detection, the linear range was 10⁰–10⁶ copies/μL. The system can achieve the theoretical sensitivity of LAMP detection, conclusions could be obtained within 35 min, and quantitative detection was possible. The test results of 45 clinical samples were consistent with quantitative PCR (qPCR) and clinical results, and the accuracy could reach 100%. This system has the characteristics of portability, speed, and POCT accuracy, and the cost is much lower than that of commercial qPCR. Therefore, it is suitable for remote areas or places with relatively poor conditions and environments requiring on-site conditions. It can also be widely used to detect various epidemics and unexpected diseases.

The Use and Potential of Biomedical Detection Dogs During a Disease Outbreak

Biomedical detection dogs offer incredible advantages during disease outbreaks that are presently unmatched by current technologies, however, dogs still face hurdles of implementation due to lack of inter-governmental cooperation and acceptance by the public health community. Here, we refine the definition of a biomedical detection dog, discuss the potential applications, capabilities, and limitations of biomedical detection dogs in disease outbreak scenarios, and the safety measures that must be considered before and during deployment. Finally, we provide recommendations on how to address and overcome the barriers to acceptance of biomedical detection dogs through a dedicated research and development investment in olfactory sciences.