RAP: A Novel Approach to the Rapid and Highly Sensitive Detection of Respiratory Viruses

Abstract

Recombinase aided amplification (RAA) is an emerging isothermal amplification method used for detecting various pathogens. However, RAA requires a complex and long probe to ensure high sensitivity during fluorescence assay. TaqMan probe used for quantitative PCR (qPCR) is simple and universal. Herein, we developed a new approach for detecting nucleic acids of pathogens, known as RAP (Recombinase aided PCR). The method combines RAA and qPCR to ensure a rapid and highly sensitive detection using a conventional qPCR device. RAP is a two-stage amplification process performed in a single tube within 1 hour. The method involves an RAA reaction for 10 min at 39°C (first stage) followed by 15 cycles of qPCR (second stage). Using human adenovirus 3 (HADV3) and human adenovirus 7 (HADV7) plasmids, the sensitivities of RAP assays for detecting HADV3 and HADV7 were 6 and 17 copies per reaction, respectively. The limit of RAP detection was at least 16-fold lower than the corresponding qPCR, and no-cross reaction with other respiratory viruses was observed. The results of RAP analysis revealed 100% consistency with qPCR assay. This study shows that RAP assay is a rapid, specific, and highly sensitive detection method with a potential for clinical and laboratory application.