Parasite DNA Detection via Cell-Free Enrichment and Sequencing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting parasitic infections, such as echinococcosis, are inadequate for early-stage detection, often requiring invasive procedures and suffering from high false positive rates, making it difficult to timely intervene with effective treatments.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the extraction and selective enrichment of parasite-derived cell-free DNA from body fluids like blood and urine, followed by high-throughput sequencing to detect the presence of parasite DNA, allowing for early detection and monitoring of parasitic infections without the need for invasive sampling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If imaging examination is used to detect parasitic infection, then cysts can be observed intuitively and clinical diagnosis is supported, but it has high requirements for equipment and is difficult to make a definite determination in early stage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/imaging examination system with a molecular biology detection system. Instead of using imaging equipment to visually observe cysts, the invention uses PCR amplification and sequencing technology to detect parasite-specific DNA sequences in body fluids, thereby substituting a complex mechanical imaging system with a more sensitive molecular detection approach that can identify infections at the DNA level before cysts form.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and detects parasite-specific DNA sequences from host body fluids as the diagnostic target. By isolating and amplifying the unique genetic material of the parasite rather than attempting to image the entire cyst structure, the method achieves high detection accuracy with simpler equipment requirements, as it focuses on detecting specific molecular markers rather than visualizing complex parasitic structures.
2Measurement precision
If tissue biopsy is performed for etiological examination, then the worm body can be directly visualized and clear diagnosis is made, but sampling is difficult and direct puncture may cause Echinococcus to diffuse into the abdominal cavity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts parasite-specific DNA sequences from easily obtainable body fluids such as serum, plasma, or urine, eliminating the need for invasive tissue biopsy. This approach maintains high diagnostic accuracy by detecting unique genetic markers of the parasite while completely avoiding the harmful effect of cyst rupture and parasite diffusion that occurs during invasive sampling procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parasite-specific DNA sequences as an intermediary marker for diagnosis. Instead of directly visualizing or sampling the parasite itself through invasive procedures, the method detects genetic material that serves as a safe intermediary indicator of parasite presence, thereby achieving accurate diagnosis without the risk of causing harm to the patient.
3Loss of time
If immunological tests are used to detect echinococcosis, then infection can be detected before clinical manifestations appear, but non-specific reactions and cross-reactivity produce false positive rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by targeting specific, unique DNA sequences that are exclusive to the parasite genome rather than using general immunological markers. By designing primers and probes that match only parasite-specific genetic regions, the method achieves both early detection capability and high specificity, eliminating the cross-reactivity and false positives inherent in broad-spectrum immunological tests.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the traditional diagnostic approach by detecting parasite genetic material directly in host body fluids rather than detecting host immune responses to the parasite. This reversal of the detection target—from host antibodies to parasite DNA—enables early detection before clinical symptoms while avoiding the specificity problems of immunological methods, as DNA sequences are more unique and less prone to cross-reactivity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables early detection of parasitic infections with high sensitivity and specificity, reducing the need for invasive procedures and improving patient compliance, while providing a non-invasive and efficient screening tool for parasitic diseases.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic bead is added to the liquid sample, and the mixture is subjected to magnetic separation to obtain the cell-free DNA in the liquid sample
Implementation Method 2
selectively enriching the parasite-derived DNA in the DNA obtained in step 1)
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a method for testing the DNA of the source of the parasite in a sample, a method for diagnosing, using the testing method, whether a host object is suffered with a parasitic infection, a method for determining a treatment effect on a parasitic infection, and a method for screening a candidate treatment of a parasitic infection. Also provided is a kit for the methods.