Development of a prototype lateral flow immunoassay (LFI) for the rapid diagnosis of melioidosis

Raymond L Houghton, Dana E Reed, Mark A Hubbard, Michael J Dillon, Hongjing Chen, Bart J Currie, Mark Mayo, Derek S Sarovich, Vanessa Theobald, Direk Limmathurotsakul, Gumphol Wongsuvan, Narisara Chantratita, Sharon J Peacock, Alex R Hoffmaster, Brea Duval, Paul J Brett, Mary N Burtnick, David P Aucoin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

91 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Burkholderia pseudomallei is a soil-dwelling bacterium and the causative agent of melioidosis. Isolation of B. pseudomallei from clinical samples is the "gold standard" for the diagnosis of melioidosis; results can take 3-7 days to produce. Alternatively, antibody-based tests have low specificity due to a high percentage of seropositive individuals in endemic areas. There is a clear need to develop a rapid point-of-care antigen detection assay for the diagnosis of melioidosis. Previously, we employed In vivo Microbial Antigen Discovery (InMAD) to identify potential B. pseudomallei diagnostic biomarkers. The B. pseudomallei capsular polysaccharide (CPS) and numerous protein antigens were identified as potential candidates. Here, we describe the development of a diagnostic immunoassay based on the detection of CPS. Following production of a CPS-specific monoclonal antibody (mAb), an antigen-capture immunoassay was developed to determine the concentration of CPS within a panel of melioidosis patient serum and urine samples. The same mAb was used to produce a prototype Active Melioidosis Detect Lateral Flow Immunoassay (AMD LFI); the limit of detection of the LFI for CPS is comparable to the antigen-capture immunoassay (∼0.2 ng/ml). The analytical reactivity (inclusivity) of the AMD LFI was 98.7% (76/77) when tested against a large panel of B. pseudomallei isolates. Analytical specificity (cross-reactivity) testing determined that 97.2% of B. pseudomallei near neighbor species (35/36) were not reactive. The non-reactive B. pseudomallei strain and the reactive near neighbor strain can be explained through genetic sequence analysis. Importantly, we show the AMD LFI is capable of detecting CPS in a variety of patient samples. The LFI is currently being evaluated in Thailand and Australia; the focus is to optimize and validate testing procedures on melioidosis patient samples prior to initiation of a large, multisite pre-clinical evaluation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)e2727
JournalPLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
Volume8
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2014
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Antibodies, Bacterial
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antigens, Bacterial/immunology
  • Australia
  • Burkholderia pseudomallei/immunology
  • Chromatography, Affinity/methods
  • Humans
  • Melioidosis/diagnosis
  • Point-of-Care Systems
  • Polysaccharides, Bacterial/immunology
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Thailand

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Development of a prototype lateral flow immunoassay (LFI) for the rapid diagnosis of melioidosis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.
  • Travel Grant

    Dillon, Michael (Recipient), 18 Sept 2013

    Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)

Cite this