Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a common condition affecting women, with Candida albicans responsible for approximately 90% of cases. This yeast is naturally present in small amounts in areas such as the mouth, skin, and intestines. However, when an imbalance occurs between Candida and the body’s healthy bacteria, it can lead to infections like thrush and vaginal yeast infections. In some cases, Candida albicans can enter the bloodstream, leading to a more severe condition known as candidemia, which is a major cause of fungal bloodstream infections. Candidemia requires prompt diagnosis and treatment due to its potential complications. The diagnosis of C. albicans infections, whether localized or systemic, involves a combination of clinical evaluations, laboratory tests, and, in certain cases, imaging studies. Early identification of the infection’s pathogen is crucial for initiating appropriate treatment as soon as possible.
To improve the diagnostic process, researchers at the Molecular Recognition and Technological Development Inter-University Research Institute (IDM) are exploring the use of a molecular diagnosis system based on molecular gates. This innovative system, aims to detect the presence of C. albicans more efficiently, potentially leading to quicker and more targeted treatments.
Researchers have developed a diagnosis system using nanoporous anodic alumina films loaded with reporter and blocked by a highly conserved oligonucleotide sequence specific to C. albicans. When C. albicans genomic DNA is present, it triggers the unblocking of the pores, resulting in the selective release of the the reporter, which can be monitored with a microplate reader indicating the presence of Candida albicans DNA. This innovative system enables the rapid detection of candidiasis or candidemia, significantly improving the chances of early diagnosis and timely treatment.
This technology has been clinically validated with 86 analyzed samples, including blood, cerebrospinal fluid, peritoneal fluid, gynecological samples, bone infection-related fluids and pleural exudate. The sensitivity achieved is 88%, reaching 100% when considering only gynecological samples. Additionally, the specificity obtained across all tested samples is 100%.
A patent application has been submitted to protect this technology.
Benefits:
- High selectivity and specificity for detecting albicans DNA.
- Fast and easy diagnostic system, allowing for quicker results compared to traditional methods.
- Accessibility of materials, since most of the required materials are readily available in standard laboratory settings.
The represented institution is looking for a collaboration that leads to commercial exploitation of the presented invention.
Institution: Molecular Recognition and Technological Development Inter-University Research Institute (IDM)
TRL: 4-5
Protection status: European Patent
Contact: Noelia Mas / tech@viromii.com
