Immunochromatographic strip for STD pathogen detection
Operon has developed a new molecular diagnostic line based on the detection of amplified PCR products by immunochromatographic strip: the OligoGen products. This technology detects DNA from several pathogens associated with sexually transmitted diseases (STD) such as Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonohrroeae, Herpes simplex, Mycoplasma genitalium and more. The general procedure has three steps: DNA extraction, amplification and hybridization/detection. During this hybridization step, the specific DNA fragments bind to probes covalently bounded to latex coloured particles (colloid). Subsequently, during immunochromatography, these DNA complex + colloid are detected by specific antibodies that recognize labels added during PCR, resulting in the appearance of a coloured band pattern. The main advantages of these products include ready to use reagents provided in the kits, minimal equipment requirements and a hybridization step carried out in a tube, which increases the specificity and reproducibility of the process.