Development of a Nucleic Acid-based Amplification Test as Point-of-Care Rapid Test Detecting Sexually-transmitted Diseases for Home-care

In Europe, 350.000 new sexual transmitted infections (STI) caused by Chlamydia types have been registered in 2009 [1]. Approximately 70 % of infections with Chlamydia trachomatis run an asymptomatic course and therefore remain undetected. This can result in severe complications such as chronic diseases, infertility, complications in pregnancy and cancer [2, 3]. Current detection systems commercially available are based on serological methods. However, existing detection strategies have a number of disadvantages including the high market price, delayed diagnostics in the course of infection, false-negative results. Therefore a new, innovative detection system for home-care devices is a rising demand.
We present a microfluidic test system which connects two methods with each other. It combines a high specific isothermal nucleic acid amplification technology with a detection on a simple lateral flow strip.
The microfluidic chip is completed with a non-instrumented mirco-heating solution by using chemical exothermal reactions. As a whole, this nucleic quick test cartridge for Chlamydia trachomatis screening is a promising tool in home-care diagnosis.