Pathogenic samples from wildlife and clinical settings are obtained either through blood or saliva. However, pathogens are rather hard to isolate as they comprise about one-millionth of a sample, particularly at the early stages of illness, when concentrations are still low, and early detection is crucial for patients. Currently, most labs keep bulk sequenced samples, a time-consuming and expensive process that mandates scientists to tease out and reassemble tiny fragments of specific DNA. The process makes pathogen detection challenging and usually leads to contamination by billions of organisms present in the surroundings or the sample itself.
Recently, a research team has created a unique tool that would detect unknown viruses in the environment and give early warning. The technology is also capable of identifying deadly bacterial pathogens which lead to sepsis. The new algorithm might revolutionize the Pathogen Testing Market as the advanced tool can facilitate the trapping of pathogen's trace quantities known and unknown to humankind. In fact, it could even help understand the animal-to-human transmission of infections like SARS-CoV-2 or monitor the environment for emerging deadly pathogens.
In the present research, the team successfully tested the probes on the whole family of coronaviruses in addition to SARS-CoV-2. The probes save time by targeting, isolating, and identifying DNA sequences that are shared among related organisms — specifically and concurrently – most typically due to evolutionary history or ancestry.
Furthermore, the team also showcased the efficacy of the probes as they captured the fantastic wide range of pathogens related to sepsis. Sepsis is a potentially fatal illness that arises when the body's response to an infection causes tissue damage. It generally starts from the lugs, skin, gastrointestinal or urinary tract.
There are millions of bacterial pathogens present in the environment. Thus, identifying the exact one that is present in the patient's blood sample is highly challenging. The probe has made identifications quick, denoting that precious lives can be saved, which might have been a lost cause before the research. Nevertheless, the new tool can overcome the hurdle and lead to patients receiving faster treatment once the identification is made, saving critical time.
The team added that discovery has excellent potential in broader applications relating to scientific discovery and human health. Moreover, it could lead to the detection of intestinal parasites within ancient DNA, revealing unique information on how catastrophic diseases evolved.
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