These lollipops could 'sweeten' diagnostic testing for kids and adults
alike

Date:
July 10, 2023
Source:
American Chemical Society
Summary:
A lollipop might be a sweet reward for a kid who's endured a trip
to the doctor's office, but now, this candy could make diagnostic
testing during a visit less invasive and more enjoyable. Researchers
have shown that a lollipop-based saliva collection system can
capture bacteria from adults and remain shelf-stable for up
to a year. Study participants also preferred the candies over
conventional collection systems.


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FULL STORY ==========================================================================
A lollipop might be a sweet reward for a kid who's endured a trip to the doctor's office, but now, this candy could make diagnostic testing during
a visit less invasive and more enjoyable. Researchers publishing in ACS' Analytical Chemistry have shown, for the first time, that a lollipop-based saliva collection system can capture bacteria from adults and remain
shelf- stable for up to a year. Study participants also preferred the
candies over conventional collection systems.

Throat swabs are commonly used to collect samples for the diagnosis of a
wide variety of illnesses, including strep throat. A less-gag-inducing
method is saliva sampling, in which technicians analyze a patient's
spit with methods such as quantitative polymerase chain reaction
(qPCR). Because this type of sample can be collected directly by a
patient, the technique is popular for at- home testing and saw expanded
use during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gathering the necessary amount of saliva
can be somewhat gross, though, which is why some scientists are looking
to make the process more enjoyable by combining it with the equally drool-filled, yet much more pleasant, experience of enjoying a lollipop.

Previously, Sanitta Thongpang, Ashleigh Theberge, Erwin Berthier
and colleagues developed their own lollipop collection device dubbed CandyCollect. At first glance, CandyCollect looks like most lollipops,
except for its spoon-like stick with a spiral-shaped groove carved into
the top. This flattened end is covered with isomalt candy, allowing for
saliva to easily flow into the groove as the lollipop is eaten. In a past study, the researchers showed in lab tests that the device could capture
the bacteria responsible for strep throat. Now, they wanted to target
other, naturally occurring bacteria and see how their system compared
to other commercially available, at-home saliva sampling methods with
real people.

Researchers sent CandyCollect and two conventional saliva sampling kits
to 28 adult volunteers, who used them, answered some survey questions,
then shipped the devices back to the lab. The researchers eluted the
samples and then quantified Streptococcus mutans and Staphylococcus
aureus bacteria using qPCR.

Whenever one or both of the conventional methods detected the target
bacteria, CandyCollect also detected them 100% of the time. Additionally,
the candies were the most popular method of the three among participants,
who also agreed it was the "most sanitary" and "least disgusting." The
devices still produced accurate results after being stored for a
year. Although the studies are still ongoing, the team says that this
work shows that the system is adaptable and well liked. The researchers
say it could inspire other scientists to develop more intuitive and
convenient at-home testing methods.

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Strange & Offbeat ========================================================================== PLANTS_&_ANIMALS Bees_Make_Decisions_Better_and_Faster_Than_We_Do,_for_the_Things_That_Matter_to Them These_Lollipops_Could_'Sweeten'_Diagnostic_Testing_for_Kids_and_Adults_Alike Why_There_Are_No_Kangaroos_in_Bali_(and_No_Tigers_in_Australia)
EARTH_&_CLIMATE
Turning_Old_Maps_Into_3D_Digital_Models_of_Lost_Neighborhoods Squash_Bugs_Are_Attracted_to_and_Eat_Each_Other's_Poop_to_Stock_Their Microbiome How_Urea_May_Have_Been_the_Gateway_to_Life FOSSILS_&_RUINS Giant_Stone_Artefacts_Found_on_Rare_Ice_Age_Site_in_Kent,_UK Fossils_Reveal_How_Ancient_Birds_Molted_Their_Feathers_--_Which_Could_Help Explain_Why_Ancestors_of_Modern_Birds_Survived_When_All_the_Other_Dinosaurs Died Apex_Predator_of_the_Cambrian_Likely_Sought_Soft_Over_Crunchy_Prey
Story Source: Materials provided by American_Chemical_Society. Note:
Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Wan-chen Tu, Anika M. McManamen, Xiaojing Su, Ingrid Jeacopello,
Meg G.

Takezawa, Damielle L. Hieber, Grant W. Hassan, Ulri N. Lee, Eden V.

Anana, Mason P. Locknane, Molly W. Stephenson, Victoria
A. M. Shinkawa, Ellen R. Wald, Gregory P. DeMuri, Karen N. Adams,
Erwin Berthier, Sanitta Thongpang, Ashleigh B. Theberge. At-Home
Saliva Sampling in Healthy Adults Using CandyCollect, a
Lollipop-Inspired Device. Analytical Chemistry, 2023; DOI:
10.1021/acs.analchem.3c00462 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/07/230710113813.htm

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