BackgroundThe zoonotic infectious diseases of poverty (zIDPs) are a group of diseases contributing to global poverty, with significant impacts on a substantial population. This study aims to describe the global, regional, and national burden of zIDPs-schistosomiasis, cystic echinococcosis, cysticercosis, and food-borne trematodiases (FBTs)-to support policy making and resource allocation for their control and elimination.MethodsData of zIDPs from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021 were retrieved from 1990 to 2021. The age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR), age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR), and age-standardized disability-adjusted life-year (DALY) rate were described and the estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs) were calculated to quantify their burden and temporal trends. Spearman correlation analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between age-standardized rates and Socio-demographic Index (SDI).ResultsIn 2021, these zIDPs exhibited a certain level of ASPRs and age-standardized DALY rates, while maintaining relatively low ASMRs. Noticeably, schistosomiasis presented the highest ASPR of 1914.299 (95% UI: 1378.920, 2510.853 per 100,000 population) and an age-standardized DALY rate of 21.895 (95% UI: 12.937, 37.278 per 100,000 population) among the zIDPs. The tapestry of burden-woven predominantly through low and lower-middle SDI regions-stretched across Africa, Latin America, and parts of Asia. From 1990 to 2021, a kaleidoscopic shift was observed globally as ASPRs, ASMRs, and age-standardized DALY rates declined significantly, as reflected by the EAPC values. Negative correlations were observed between the ASPRs, ASMRs, age-standardized DALY rates of schistosomiasis (r value = - 0.610, - 0.622 and - 0.610), cystic echinococcosis (- 0.676 of ASMR, - 0.550 of age-standardized DALYs), cysticercosis (- 0.420, - 0.797 and - 0.591) and the SDI. In contrast, a slight positive correlation was noted between the ASPR, age-standardized DALY rates of FBTs and SDI with r value of 0.221 and 0.213, respectively.ConclusionThe burden of zIDPs declined across almost all endemic regions from 1990 to 2021, yet still predominated in low and low-middle SDI regions. Substantial challenges exist to achieve the goal of control and elimination of zIDPs, and integrated approaches based on One Health need to be strengthened to improve health outcomes.

The construction of the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YEB) is a great national economic development strategy in China. As the YEB covers most endemic provinces of schistosomiasis japonica featured by low endemicity, this study aimed to investigate the spatiotemporal distribution pattern of Oncomelania hupensis (O. hupensis), which serves as the only intermediate host of Schistosoma japonicum in the YEB. Annual data reflecting the distribution of O. hupensis from 2015 to 2021 were collected from the National Institute of Parasitic Disease, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Spatial autocorrelation analysis, hotspot analysis and space–time scan analysis were performed to explore the aggregation features and spatiotemporal dynamics of the snail distribution. The distribution of both total snail habitats (during 2015–2021) and emerging snail habitats (in 2016, 2018 and 2020) showed spatial autocorrelation (Z = 15.8~16.1, p < 0.05; Z = 2.3~7.5, p < 0.05). Hotspot (high-value areas in space) counties were mainly clustered in the alluvial plain of the middle and lower reaches of the YEB. Eight spatial and temporal clusters of snail habitats were scanned and were mainly concentrated in the counties of Anhui, Jiangxi, Hubei, Hunan and Jiangsu provinces along the Yangtze River. The YEB carries a tremendous burden of O. hupensis. Surveillance and risk identification based on the snail presence should be strengthened to provide reference for protecting humans and public health security in the YEB.

Early detection of Schistosoma japonicum (S. japonicum) within its intermediate and definitive hosts is crucial for case finding and disease surveillance, especially in low-endemic areas. Recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) has many advantages over traditional methods of DNA-amplification, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), including high sensitivity and specificity whilst being deployable in resource-poor schistosomiasis-endemic areas. Here, we evaluated the performance of a basic RPA assay targeting the 28srDNA gene fragment of S. japonicum (Sj28srDNA) using schistosome-infected Oncomelania hupensis (O. hupensis) and mouse models, compared to the traditional pathological method and a PCR assay. Overall S. japonicum infection prevalence within O. hupensis hosts by microscopic dissection, PCR and RPA was 9.29% (13/140), 32.14% (45/140) and 51.43% (72/140), respectively, presenting significant differences statistically (χ2 = 58.31, p < 0.001). It was noteworthy that infection prevalence by PCR and RPA performed was 34.44% (31/90) and 53.33% (48/90) in snails within 6 weeks post-infection, while the dissection method detected all samples as negatives. In addition, the basic RPA assay presented positive results from the fourth week post-infection and third day post-infection when detecting fecal DNA and serum DNA, respectively, which were extracted from a pooled sample from mice infected with 20 S. japonicum cercariae. This study suggests that the RPA assay has high potential for early detection of S. japonicum infection within its intermediate and definitive hosts.

Schistosomiasis japonica caused by the trematode flukes of Schistosoma japonicum was one of the most grievous infectious diseases in China in the mid-20th century, while its elimination has been placed on the agenda of the national strategic plan of healthy China 2030 after 70 years of continuous control campaigns. Diagnostic tools play a pivotal role in warfare against schistosomiasis but must adapt to the endemic status and objectives of activities. With the decrease of prevalence and infection intensity of schistosomiasis in human beings and livestock, optimal methodologies with high sensitivity and absolute specificity are needed for the detection of asymptomatic cases or light infections, as well as disease surveillance to verify elimination. In comparison with the parasitological methods with relatively low sensitivity and serological techniques lacking specificity, which both had been widely used in previous control stages, the molecular detection methods based on the amplification of promising genes of the schistosome genome may pick up the baton to assist the eventual aim of elimination. In this article, we reviewed the developed molecular methods for detecting S. japonicum infection and their application in schistosomiasis japonica diagnosis. Concurrently, we also analyzed the chances and challenges of molecular tools to the field application process in China.

目的 结合重组酶聚合酶扩增技术(RPA)和侧流层析试纸条(LFD),建立一种快速、便捷的曼氏血吸虫核酸可视化检测方法,并初步评价其检测效能.方法 以曼氏血吸虫细胞色素c氧化酶亚基1(SmCOX1)基因为靶序列,利用Primer Primer 5软件结合手工辅助,设计特异性引物和探针并进行筛选,建立曼氏血吸虫核酸LFD-RPA检测方法.制备不同浓度(1ng/μl、100 pg/μl、10 pg/μl、1 pg/μl、100fg/μl、10 fg/μl、1 fg/μl、0.1 fg/μl)的曼氏血吸虫成虫基因组DNA和含有不同拷贝数浓度(105、104、103、102、101、100、10-1拷贝/μl)的SmCox1重组质粒DNA,评价所建立方法的敏感度.以曼氏血吸虫成虫、日本血吸虫成虫、埃及血吸虫虫卵、感染曼氏血吸虫双脐螺(阳性双脐螺)和阴性双脐螺、感染日本血吸虫钉螺(阳性钉螺)和阴性钉螺、华支睾吸虫成虫、大片形吸虫成虫、卫氏并殖吸虫成虫基因组DNA为模板,评价所建立方法的特异性.将30只雌性BALB/c小鼠随机分为40尾感染组、80尾感染组和健康对照组,每组10只,建立感染小鼠模型,提取感染后1～8周的小鼠粪样和血样DNA,评价LFD-RPA方法检测曼氏血吸虫早期感染的效能.结果 以SmCox1基因片段为靶标建立的曼氏血吸虫LFD-RPA检测方法以39℃、20 min为最佳反应温度和时间.敏感度检测结果显示,SmCox1-LFD-RPA方法对曼氏血吸虫成虫基因组、SmCox1重组质粒的检出限分别为10fg/μl和10拷贝/μl.特异性检测结果显示,SmCox1-LFD-RPA方法仅对曼氏血吸虫和阳性双脐螺DNA特异,与其他吸虫DNA无交叉反应.SmnCox1-LFD-RPA方法对感染小鼠1～8周血样及粪样DNA的检测结果显示,40尾组小鼠自感染后3周开始出现阳性条带,80尾组小鼠自感染后1周开始出现阳性条带,且条带颜色随感染时间延长逐渐加深.结论 建立了曼氏血吸虫LFD-RPA检测方法,其检出限低、特异性强,操作简单快捷.

江西省是我国血吸虫病流行较为严重的省份之一."十三五"期间,中国疾病预防控制中心寄生虫病预防控制所和原江西省卫生和计划生育委员会签订了《协作创新寄生虫(血吸虫)病防治工作协议》,双方积极围绕血吸虫病综合防治示范区建设等一系列工作,加大协作和创新力度,有效推进了江西省血吸虫病防治进程.为做好"十四五"期间示范区建设工作,推动示范区建设的可持续发展,本文简要回顾了江西省血吸虫病流行和防控进展,梳理了示范区建设面临的主要挑战,详细阐述了"十四五"时期示范区建设可持续发展的对策和建议.

目的 评估2020年长江中下游地区洪涝灾害对血吸虫病传播的影响.方法 于2020年10月对湖南、湖北、江西、安徽和江苏等5省开展钉螺血吸虫感染情况和钉螺孳生环境污染情况调查.根据历史疫情和受灾情况,每省抽取2个县(市、区)开展调查,分别为湖南省南县、华容县,湖北省汉川市、黄石市阳新县,江西省庐山市、九江市濂溪区,安徽省池州市贵池区、枞阳县,江苏省南京市六合区、扬州市邗江区.每县(市、区)抽取2个乡(镇),每个乡(镇)抽取1个行政村作为调查村.采用系统抽样结合环境抽查法对2017-2019年查出人、畜活动频繁的有螺环境及本次受洪灾波及的历史无螺环境或达到无螺状态20年以上的环境开展钉螺调查.采用环介导等温扩增技术(LAMP)对捕获的钉螺进行血吸虫感染情况检测.在开展钉螺调查的环境中同时开展野外粪便(简称野粪)的调查,采集全部野粪并用毛蚴孵化法进行检测(一粪三检).对钉螺和野粪的分布情况进行描述性分析,计算活螺框出现率(活螺框数/调查框数)、活螺平均密度(系统抽样活螺数/系统抽样调查框数).采用卡方检验比较现有钉螺孳生环境中环境抽查和系统抽样法之间以及不同地区之间活螺框出现率的差异.结果 共调查64处现有钉螺孳生环境,捕获钉螺8904只,其中活螺7918只.总活螺框出现率为11.7％ (1813/15464),其中环境抽查活螺框出现率为10.5％ (679/6441),系统抽样活螺框出现率为12.6％(1134/9023),二者差异有统计学意义(x2=14.91,P＜0.01).安徽枞阳县和贵池区系统抽样活螺框出现率分别为60.2％ (607/1008)和28.4％ (251/882),均较其他县高(P＜0.01).安徽省枞阳县和贵池区的活螺平均密度分别为2.177只/0.1 m2和3.323只/0.1 m2,约为其他调查点10倍以上.LAMP法检测到1份采自安徽省贵池区钉螺的血吸虫阳性样品.在47处钉螺孳生环境中共检获野粪100份,其中血吸虫毛蚴孵化阳性野粪3份,均为牛粪,分布于江西省庐山市的2个环境和安徽省贵池区的1个环境.共调查44处本次洪灾波及的历史无螺环境或达到无螺状态20年以上的环境,采集钉螺572只,其中活螺550只.安徽贵池区(1处环境)和江西庐山市(2处环境)在潜在扩散区中发现钉螺,系统抽样活螺框出现率分别为21.2％和4.5％,活螺平均密度分别为1.254只/0.1 m2和0.081只/0.1 m2.LAMP法检测到2份采自江西省庐山市的钉螺血吸虫阳性样品.结论 2020年洪涝灾害可能增大长江中下游地区血吸虫病的传播范围,安徽省及江西省的血吸虫病传播风险较前一年有所升高.

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS TOPIC?:Oncomelania hupensis(O. hupensis) and livestock are main infection sources of schistosomiasis. The schistosome infected O. hupensis and livestock's feces are important risk factors in the transmission of schistosomiasis.WHAT IS ADDED BY THIS REPORT?:The potential risks of schistosomiasis transmission remain prevalent, giving an early warning to local government with information on existing transmission risks. It is expected that the effectiveness and efficiency of schistosomiasis surveillance could be improved by conducting rapid risk assessment at the beginning of transmission season.WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICE?:Rapid risk assessment is essential in early detection and the active monitoring of indicators of the transmission risks of schistosomiasis in endemic areas. This could work synergistically with surveillance system to minimize infections and prevent rebounds of endemic schistosomiasis outbreaks.

Epigenetic alterations hold great promise as biomarkers for early stage cancer diagnosis. Nevertheless, direct identification of rare methylated DNA in the genome remains challenging. Here, we report an ultrasensitive framework nucleic acid-based electrochemical sensor for quantitative and highly selective analysis of DNA methylation. Notably, we can detect 160 fg of methylated DNA in million-fold unmethylated DNA samples using this electrochemical methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (E-MSP) method. The high sensitivity of E-MSP enables one-step detection of low-abundance methylation at two different genes in patient serum samples. By using a combination test with two methylation alterations, we achieve high accuracy and sensitivity for reliable differentiation of prostate cancer and benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH). This new method sheds new light on translational use in early cancer diagnosis and in monitoring patients' responses to therapeutic agents.

目的 应用重组酶聚合酶扩增(RPA)技术,建立一种敏感、特异、简便且快速的日本血吸虫核酸检测方法. 方法 选择Sj28S核糖体基因片段为靶序列,用Primer Premier 5软件设计特异性引物,建立RPA扩增反应,并进行优化以确定最佳反应条件.提取不同虫期日本血吸虫,以及曼氏血吸虫、埃及血吸虫、单尾尾蚴感染钉螺、华支睾吸虫、大片形吸虫、卫氏并殖吸虫和牛带绦虫等基因组DNA,评价所建立方法的特异性和敏感性,并对不同混合比例(1∶10、1∶50、1∶100、1∶250、1∶500、1∶1000、1∶2000)的阳性和阴性钉螺基因组DNA的检出性能和重复性进行评价. 结果 建立的RPA方法可特异地扩增出日本血吸虫216 bp大小的目的基因片段.RPA的最佳反应条件为39℃、20 min.该方法与曼氏血吸虫、埃及血吸虫、单尾尾蚴感染钉螺、华支睾吸虫、大片形吸虫、卫氏并殖吸虫和牛带绦虫及阴性钉螺基因组DNA均无交叉反应.针对日本血吸虫成虫基因组的最低检出限为100 fg/μl,针对重组质粒的最低检出限为100拷贝/μl,且血吸虫不同虫期的基因组DNA样本均能被准确检出.应用建立的RPA方法检测不同混合比例钉螺DNA混合样品,结果显示,最低检出比例为1:1000.重复性试验结果显示,5次检测结果完全一致,无假阴性和假阳性. 结论 建立了日本血吸虫RPA检测方法,该法敏感性高、特异性好、简便快速,有望用于血吸虫感染的快速检测及风险监测.

Being a zoonotic parasitic disease, schistosomiasis was widely spread in 12 provinces of Southern China in the 1950s, severly harming human health and hindering economic development. The National Institute of Parasitic Diseases at the Chinese Center for Diseases Control and Prevention, and Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research (NIPD-CTDR), as the only professional institution focussing on parasitic diseases at the national level, has played an important role in schistosomiasis control in the country. In this article, we look back at the changes of schistosomiasis endemicity and the contribution of NIPD-CTDR to the national schistosomiasis control programme. We review NIPD-CTDR's activities, including field investigations, design of control strategies and measures, development of diagnostics and drugs, surveillance-response of endemic situation, and monitoring & evaluation of the programme. The NIPD-CTDR has mastered the transmission status of schistosomiasis, mapped the snail distribution, and explored strategies and measures suitable for different types of endemic areas in China. With a good understanding of the life cycle of Schistosoma japonicum and transmission patterns of the disease, advanced research carried out in the NIPD-CTDR based on genomics and modern technology has made it possible to explore highly efficient and soft therapeutic drugs and molluscicides, making it possible to develop new diagnostic tools and produce vaccine candidates. In the field, epidemiological studies, updated strategies and targeted intervention measures developed by scientists from the NIPD-CTDR have contributed significantly to the national schistosomiasis control programme. This all adds up to a strong foundation for eliminating schistosomiasis in China in the near future, and recommendations have been put forward how to reach this goal.

目的 联合重组酶聚合酶扩增及电化学DNA传感器检测技术,建立一种敏感、特异且简单的日本血吸虫(Schistosoma japonicum)核酸检测方法. 方法 提取日本血吸虫基因组DNA,以SjR2基因片段为靶序列,设计重组酶聚合酶扩增(RPA)引物与探针,与电化学DNA传感器(EC)检测技术联合,将探针固定于多通道电极芯片进行界面RPA扩增及电化学检测,建立日本血吸虫核酸等温检测方法.优化RPA反应条件,通过检测10-4、10-5、10-6、10-7、10-s ng日本血吸虫基因组DNA,评价RPA-EC方法的敏感性;通过检测10 ng日本血吸虫、埃及血吸虫、曼氏血吸虫、卫氏并殖吸虫、大片吸虫及华支睾吸虫的基因组DNA,评价RPA-EC方法的特异性.取10只6～8周龄C57成年小鼠,每鼠经腹部贴片感染40条日本血吸虫尾蚴,分别于感染前(0 d)和感染后7、21、35 d收集尾静脉血清,验证RPA-EC方法检测感染动物动态血清DNA中SjR2基因片段的可行性. 结果 RPA-EC联合检测方法可在37℃、30 min内完成SjR2基因片段的界面快速扩增及检测,成虫基因组DNA的最低检出限可达10-8 ng,与曼氏血吸虫、埃及血吸虫、卫氏并殖吸虫、大片吸虫及华支睾吸虫基因组DNA无交叉反应,具有较好的特异性.日本血吸虫感染小鼠实验结果显示,RPA-EC联合检测方法可高敏感检出感染后7、21、35 d等不同感染期小鼠血清中的SjR2基因片段. 结论 本研究所建立的RPA-EC联合检测方法敏感性高、特异性好、操作简便,具有一定的应用前景.

Biosensing interface based on screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCE) has been widely used for electrochemical biosensors in the field of medical diagnostics, food safety, and environmental monitoring. Nevertheless, SPCE always has a rough surface, which is easy to result in the disorder of nucleic acid capture probes, the nonspecific adsorption of signaling probes, the steric hindrance of target binding, and decrease in the signal-to-noise ratio and sensitivity of biosensors. So far, it still remains extremely challenging to develop high-efficiency carbon-based biosensing interfaces, especially for DNA probe-based assembly and functionalization. In this paper, we first used a specific DNA framework, DNA tetrahedron to solve the defects of the carbon interface, improving the biosensing ability of SPCE. With covalent coupling, the DNA tetrahedron could be immobilized on the carbon surface. Biosensing probe sequences extending from the DNA tetrahedron can be changed for different target molecules. We demonstrated that the improved SPCE could be applied for the detection of a variety of bioactive molecules. Typically, we designed gap hybridization, aptamer "sandwich" and aptamer competition reduction strategy for the detection of miRNA-141, thrombin, and ATP, respectively. High signal-to-noise ratio, sensitivity, and specificity were obtained for all of these kinds. Especially, the DNA tetrahedron-modified SPCE can work well with serum samples. The carbon-based DNA framework nano-bio interface would expand the use of SPCE and make electrochemical biosensors more available and valuable in clinical diagnosis.

目的结合重组酶聚合酶扩增（RPA）技术及侧流层析试纸条法（LFD）建立日本血吸虫特异核酸片段的快速可视化检测方法,并初步评价其检测日本血吸虫感染小鼠血清中血吸虫循环核酸的应用价值。方法以日本血吸虫非长末端重复序列逆转录转座子SjCHGCS19为靶标,设计RPA引物和探针,以日本血吸虫基因组DNA为模板进行RPA及LFD检测,并优化RPA反应温度及时间,建立日本血吸虫核酸RPA-LFD快速可视化检测方法。用RPA-LFD检测模板量为10 -1 、10 -2 、10 -3 、10 -4 、10 -5 、10 -6 和10 -7 ng的日本血吸虫基因组DNA,评价其敏感性;用RPA-LFD方法检测日本血吸虫、埃及血吸虫、曼氏血吸虫、卫氏并殖吸虫及华支睾吸虫基因组DNA,评价其特异性。制备含0.01、0.1、1、10和100 ng日本血吸虫成虫基因组DNA的模拟阳性鼠血清。用40条日本血吸虫尾蚴感染小鼠,采集并分离感染前及感染后7、21、35 d小鼠尾静脉血清。提取模拟阳性鼠血清、感染小鼠血清样品中的循环DNA,评价RPA-LFD检测血清中血吸虫特异核酸的可行性及其早期检测价值。结果建立了快速可视化检测SjCHGCS19重复序列的RPA-LFD方法,30～45℃反应10 min即可检出目的片段。RPA最优反应条件为39℃,20 min。RPA-LFD对日本血吸虫成虫基因组DNA的最低检出限为10 -6 ng （1 fg）。特异性评价结果显示,RPA-LFD检测曼氏血吸虫和埃及血吸虫基因组DNA结果为阳性,检测卫氏并殖吸虫和华支睾吸虫基因组DNA结果为阴性。RPA-LFD方法可成功检出含0.01～100 ng日本血吸虫基因组DNA的模拟阳性鼠血清以及血吸虫感染后7、21、35 d鼠血清中的游离SjCHGCS19 DNA片段。结论建立了一种快速、可视化检测日本血吸虫循环核酸的RPA-LFD方法,该方法敏感性高,具有检测血吸虫早期感染的潜在应用价值。

Traditional microbiology analysis is usually hindered by the long time-cost and lack of portability in many urgent situations. In this work, we developed a novel electrochemical DNA biosensor (E-biosensor) for sensitive analysis of the 16S rRNA gene of five bacteria, using a consecutive adenine (polyA) probe. The polyA probe consists of a polyA tail and a recognition part. The polyA tail can combine onto the gold surface with improved controllability of the surface density, by conveniently changing the length of polyA. The recognition part of the capture probe together with two biotin-labeled reporter probes hybridize with the target DNA and form a stable DNA-tetramer sandwich structure, and then avidin-HRP enzyme was added to produce a redox current signal for the following electrochemical detection. Finally, we realized sensitive quantification of artificial target DNA with a limit of detection (LOD) of 10 fM, and excellent selectivity and reusability were also demonstrated. Importantly, the detection capability was equally good when facing bacterial genomic DNA, due to the base-stacking force of our multireporter-probe system, which can help to break the second structure and stabilize the probe-target complexes. Our biosensor was constructed on a 16-channel electrode chip without any polymerase chain reaction (PCR) process needed, which took a significant step toward a portable bacteria biosensor.

Introduction: Plasmodium vivax (Pv) and P. knowlesi account together for a considerable share of the global burden of malaria, along with P. falciparum (Pf). However, inaccurate diagnosis and undetectable asymptomatic/submicroscopic malaria infections remain very challenging. Blood-stage antigens involved in either invasion of red blood cells or sequestration/cytoadherence of parasitized erythrocytes have been immunomics-characterized, and are vital for the detection of malaria incidence.Areas covered: We review the recent advances in Plasmodium immunomics to discuss serological markers with potential for specific and sensitive diagnosis of malaria. Insights on alternative use of immunomics to assess malaria prevalence are also highlighted. Finally, we provide practical applications of serological markers as diagnostics, with an emphasis on dot immunogold filtration assay which holds promise for malaria diagnosis and epidemiological surveys.Expert commentary: The approach largely contributes to Pf and Pv research in identifying promising non-orthologous antigens able to detect malaria incidence and to differentiate between past and recent infections. However, further studies to profiling naturally acquired immune responses are expected in order to help discover/validate serological markers of no cross-seroreactivity and guide control interventions. More so, the application of immunomics to knowlesi infections would help validate the recently identified antigens and contribute to the discovery of additional biomarkers of exposure, immunity, or both.

BACKGROUND:Interventions are currently being used against 'infectious diseases of poverty', which remain highly debilitating and deadly in most endemic countries, especially malaria, schistosomiasis, echinococcosis and African sleeping sickness. However, major limitations of current 'traditional' methods for diagnosis are neither simple nor convenient for population surveillance, and showed low sensitivity and specificity. Access to novel technologies for the development of adequate and reliable tools are expressly needed. A collaborative project between African Network for Drugs and Diagnostics Innovation and partner institutions in Africa and China aims to screen suitable serological biomarkers for diagnostic pipelines against these 'diseases of the poor'.METHODS:Parasite-specific exposed versus unexposed individuals were screened and sera or urine/stools were collected through case-control studies in China and African countries. Target genes/open reading frames were selected, then will be cloned and cell-free expressed, quantified and immuno-detected. Target antigens/epitopes will be probed and screened with sera from exposed or unexposed individuals using a high-throughput antigen screening platform as the study progresses. The specificity and sensitivity of highly immunoreactive biomarkers will be evaluated as well, using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays or dipsticks.DISCUSSION:This roadmap explicitly unfolds the integrated operating procedures with focus on malaria and schistosomiasis, for the identification of suitable biomarkers that will aid the prioritization of diagnostics for population use. However, there is need to further validate any new diagnostic through comparison with standard methods in field deployable tests for each region. Our expectations for the future are to seek regulatory approval and promote the use of diagnostics in endemic areas.

We have developed a fast, highly sensitive and low-cost biosensing system for the detection of clenbuterol (CLB), using a homemade mobile electrochemical device with an electric field-driven acceleration strategy. This system consists of an embedded circuit in smartphone for signal processing and a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) modified with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and goat anti mouse-immunoglobulin G (IgG) sensing layer (MWNTs-I-layer). CLB monoclonal antibody was assembled through its binding to the surface-confined antibody. Such modified electrodes were used for rapid and sensitive amperometric immunosensing detection of CLB. Horseradish peroxidase-coupled CLB (CLB–HRP) competed with free CLB in the samples to bind the monoclonal antibody. By using this mobile system, we could detect CLB ranging from 0.3ng⋅mL−1 to 100ng⋅mL−1 with the detection limit of 0.076ng⋅mL−1. The whole competitive-type detection process was finished within 6min. We expect this device can meet the requirements for field detection of various food security-related species.

On-site detection of biomarkers in biofluids found at the crime scene is critically important forensic analysis. However, it remains difficult due to the lack of portable, fast and cheap on-site analytical devices. Traditional methods including polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and electrophoresis requires complicated instrumentation and critical environment. Optical analytical methods can be affected by intrinsic adsorption of complicated sample such as serum. In response, we developed a smartphone-interfaced electrochemical chip device for on-site gender verification. The detection is based on the known difference of biomarkers (creatine kinase (CK) and alanine transaminase (ALT)) between male and female groups. Enzyme cascade reaction converted the enzyme level in biofluids to the consumption of NADH, which can be electrochemically detected by our designed electrochemical chip. Our device retained the capability of gender verification when used in serum and serum stains. The detection can be completed in 20min. Gender verification of real samples (39 serum samples) demonstrated excellent sensitivity and specificity of this smartphone based device.

Point-of-care testing (POCT) is a test that performed at or near the site of patient care whenever the medical care is needed, POCT has become an indicator of in vitro diagnosis (IVD) because of its simple, rapid, low cost, portable and without being limited by the place. Biosensors possesses characteristics such as rapid, sensitive, high efficiency, portable and easy to automation and miniaturization, so they have great potential in the development of point-of-care testing technology. In recent years, with the development of the biosensor, internet technology and the rise of new and integrated technology, POCT device has obtained substantial progress. In this review, we first briefly introduced the classification of the biosensors and described the state of the art of biosensors that could be performed in POCT, and then reviewed the representative research progress of biosensors in POCT application. According to the emerging technologies, they are classified into microfluidics based biosensors for POCT, paper based biosensors for POCT, nanomaterials based biosensors for POCT, cell phone based biosensors for POCT and the integrated device for POCT. However, the successful commercialization and widespread implementation of such viable technologies remained subject to several challenges and pending issues. Finally, we discussed the current problems, the future development trend and prospects of biosensors for POCT application.