Application of Accutas Hydrogel Technology for Gonorrhoea Diagnosis and No/Go Decision for Ciprofloxacin Use at Point of Care

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The "Accutas" technology developed by Aquila Diagnostic Systems Inc., Edmonton is a rapid point-of-care hydrogel-based diagnostic platform that has earlier successfully detected blood-borne infectious diseases such as malaria and bovine/porcine pathogens. The company is now contemplating its use in detecting antibiotic resistant sexually transmitted infections (STIs e.g. N. gonorrhoeae) which will be revolutionary, given the emergence of many multidrug/totally drug resistant bacteria in recent times. However, the company is faced with some key challenges that include: 1) No scientific expertise in the field of STIs; 2) No access to diagnostic biomarkers of N. gonorrhoeae and its susceptibility to antibiotic (e.g. ciprofloxacin) or expertise to discover the same; 3) No prior experience of developing a diagnostic test using urine/cervical swab samples and for detecting antibiotic resistance. The proposed project aims to solve these problems by developing a diagnostic technique for detecting N. gonorrhoeae and ciprofloxacin resistance from clinical samples that will be compatible with Accutas hydrogel-based technology. This technique is based on Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)-based amplification/identification of specific genetic markers of N. gonorrhoeae and resistance. This will involve use of novel probes indigenously developed in the applicant's lab and standardization experiments to ensure high level of specificity and sensitivity. Further, the standardized technique will be incorporated in the "Accutas" test device followed by more refinements and validation test runs. The company will benefit immensely by this research alliance with the applicant, Prof Jo-Anne Dillon who is known for her work in the area of STIs and antibiotic resistance. In very near future, we envisage an effective test for N. gonorrhoeae treatment that would stop transmission at the point of care and facilitate reduced health costs with the prudent use of antimicrobial agents.