New DNA test available for fast Xylella fastidiosa detection
Xylella fastidiosa (Xf) is the causal agent of multiple crop diseases. Main crops affected by Xf are grape (Pierce's disease), citrus (citrus variegated chlorosis or CVC), almond (leaf scorch disease) and olives (quick decline syndrome).
Severe Xf infections can decimate entire crops and cause enormous financial losses to growers and the bacterium can also be a major threat for forest trees.
Historically, Xf was a problem in the American continent but since a few years outbreaks have been reported in Italy (with more than a million olive trees infected), France and more recently Spain.
The AmplifyRP XRT + test developed by Agdia can help to fight this disease by providing a rapid detection. This test is based on the isothermal amplification technique RPA (Recombinase Polymerase Amplification). RPA technology enables rapid amplification of nucleic acids (DNA or RNA) directly on crude sample extracts at a single operating temperature of 39°C. This method has proved its reliability for many tests available on the market. It provides the same level of sensitivity and specificity as PCR laboratory methods. Results are obtained in less than 30 minutes, including sample preparation time. In addition, Agdia's Xylella fastidiosa kit can be used in the field to shorten test times to take the necessary sanitary measures as quickly as possible.
Agdia currently offers two formats of the AmplifyRP XRT + Xylella kit. For the first one, the target DNA is amplified at a constant temperature of 39°C directly from a crude extract sample. The amplified product is then inserted into a detection chamber (photo n°1) which allows a simple reading of the results on strips: positive or negative (like a pregnancy test).
For the second format, the user can carry out several tests at the same time thanks to a fluorometer (photo n ° 2) which will measure the fluorescence level of the amplified product and thus determine whether it is positive or negative for Xylella. The fluorometer reader is portable and battery powered.
For both methods, the complete test time is less than 30 minutes. The use of this kit does not require any special technical skills.
The goal of Agdia is to allow anyone to perform a simple and rapid test allowing to take quick decisions and helping the fight against this major pathogen.
For more information:
Agdia-Biofords
+33 (0) 1 60 78 81 64
info@agdia-biofords.com
www.agdia-biofords.com