Diagnosis of Hantaan orthohantavirus infection within 3 hours

A groundbreaking portable nanopore-based diagnostic assay capable of swiftly and precisely whole-genome sequencing of Hantaan orthohantavirus (HTNV) has been developed by a research team under the guidance of Professor Jin-Won Song from the Department of Microbiology at Korea University College of Medicine. 

As a zoonotic virus, HTNV can be transmitted to humans through rodents, leading to hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). This condition is characterized by symptoms such as fever, kidney failure, hemorrhage, reduced platelet count, and shock.

Designated as a Class 3 Statutory Communicable Disease by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, HTNV cases are subject to mandatory surveillance. Annually, Korea records approximately 300 to 500 domestic cases of HFRS, with a reported fatality rate of around 1%.

This innovative method not only cuts costs but also significantly accelerates the detection process. While current next-generation sequencing techniques require at least a full day to acquire the complete genome sequences of HTNV, the newly developed portable nanopore method can deliver results in less than 3 hours.

Furthermore, due to the miniaturization and portability of nanopore technology, the complete genome of HTNV can be obtained directly at the outbreak site, enhancing the efficiency and responsiveness of viral detection.

"Rapid detection of HTNV infection is now achievable even in outdoor settings. This advancement holds significant potential in improving the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of infectious diseases," remarked Professor Song, the lead researcher of the study.

The results of the study, titled "High-resolution phylogeographical surveillance of Hantaan orthohantavirus using rapid amplicon-based Flongle sequencing, Republic of Korea," were featured in a recent issue of the Journal of Medical Virology, a highly regarded publication in the field of virology.