TY - JOUR T1 - Rapid molecular detection of Zika virus in urine using the recombinase polymerase amplification assay JF - bioRxiv DO - 10.1101/078501 SP - 078501 AU - Ahmed Abd El Wahed AU - Sabri S. Sanabani AU - Oumar Faye AU - Rodrigo Pessôa AU - João Veras Patriota AU - Ricardo Rodrigues Giorgi AU - Pranav Patel AU - Susanne Böhlken-Fascher AU - Olfert Landt AU - Matthias Niedrig AU - de A. Zanotto Paolo M. AU - Claus-Peter Czerny AU - Amadou A. Sall AU - Manfred Weidmann Y1 - 2016/01/01 UR - http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2016/10/03/078501.abstract N2 - Background Currently the detection of Zika virus (ZIKV) in patient samples is done by real-time RT-PCR. Samples collected from rural area are sent to highly equipped laboratories for screening. A rapid point-of-care test is needed to detect the virus, especially at low resource settings.Methodology/Principal Findings In this report, we describe the development of a reverse transcription isothermal recombinase polymerase amplification (RT-RPA) assay for the identification of ZIKV. RT-RPA assay was portable, sensitive (21 RNA molecules), and rapid (3-15 minutes). No cross-reactivity was detected to other flaviviruses, alphaviruses and arboviruses. Compared to real-time RT-PCR, the diagnostic sensitivity was 92%, while the specificity was 100%.Conclusions/Significance The developed assay is a promising platform for rapid point of need detection of ZIKV in low resource settings and elsewhere (e.g. during mass gathering).Author Summary Currently, Dengue (DENV), Zika (ZIKV) and Chikungunya (CHIKV) viruses represent a global threat. The clinical picture of the acute febrile diseases caused by DENV, ZIKV and CHIKV is very similar, in addition, the same mosquito vector is involved in the transmission cycle. The differentiation between them is of great importance as supportive treatment differs and the identification of any of the three viruses prompts implementation of control measures to avoid spreading of an outbreak. We have developed an assay for the detection of ZIKV genome. The assay based on isothermal “recombinase polymerase amplification” assay, which was performed at one temperature (42°C). The result was obtained in maximum of 15 minutes. Moreover, the assay is easy to be implemented at low resource settings. ER -