Rapid Detection of Measles Virus Using Reverse Transcriptase/Recombinase Polymerase Amplification Coupled with CRISPR/Cas12a and a Lateral Flow Detection: A Proof-of-Concept Study

The measles virus is highly contagious, and efforts to simplify its diagnosis are essential. A reverse transcriptase/recombinase polymerase amplification assay coupled with CRISPR/Cas12a and an immunochromatographic lateral flow detection (RT-RPA-CRISPR-LFD) was developed for the simple visual detection of measles virus. The assay was performed in less than 1 h at an optimal temperature of 42 degree celsius. The detection limit of the assay was 31 copies of an RNA standard in the reaction tube. The diagnostic performances were evaluated on a panel of 27 measles virus RT-PCR-positive samples alongside 29 measles virus negative saliva samples. The sensitivity and specificity were 96% (95% CI, 81-99%) and 100% (95% CI, 88-100%), respectively, corresponding to an accuracy of 98% (95% CI, 94-100%; p < 0.0001). This method will open new perspectives in the development of the point-of-care testing diagnosis of measles.