Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are a global health issue affecting nearly one-third of the world’s population. As most endemic areas of STH are impoverished countries or regions with limited healthcare resources, the accurate diagnosis of STH requires analytical tools that are not only quantitative, but also portable, inexpensive, and with no or minimal demand for external instrument. Herein, we introduce a novel paper-based diagnostic device, termed quantitative paper-based DNA reader (qPDR), capable of quantifying STH at the molecular level by measuring distance as readout, thus eliminating the need for external readers. On the basis of the unique interfacial interaction of a DNA intercalating dye, SYBR Green I, with native cellulose on a chromatographic paper, qPDR allows the distance-based quantification of minute amounts of double-stranded DNA as short as 6 min. By integrating qPDR with polymerase chain reactions that were performed using a smartphone-controlled portable thermal cycler, we were able to quantify minute amount of genetic markers from adult worms of an STH (Trichuris trichiura) that were expelled post-treatment by infected children living in the rural areas of Honduras.

中文翻译：

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纸基DNA读取器，用于可视化定量土壤传播的蠕虫感染

土壤传播的蠕虫（STH）感染是一个全球性的健康问题，影响了世界近三分之一的人口。由于大多数STH流行地区是贫困的国家或地区，医疗资源有限，因此，准确诊断STH不仅需要定量的分析工具，而且还需要便携式，便宜的价格，并且对外部仪器的需求很少或只有极少的需求。本文中，我们介绍了一种新型的基于纸张的诊断设备，称为定量基于纸张的DNA读取器（qPDR），该设备能够通过测量作为读数的距离来在分子水平上定量STH，从而消除了对外部读取器的需求。根据DNA嵌入染料SYBR Green I与天然纤维素在色谱纸上的独特界面相互作用，qPDR可以在短至6分钟的时间内基于距离的双链DNA微量定量。通过将qPDR与使用智能手机控制的便携式热循环仪进行的聚合酶链反应相结合，我们能够量化STH成虫的微量遗传标记（Trichuris trichiura）被生活在洪都拉斯农村地区的受感染儿童驱逐出后方。