Zika virus (ZIKV) spreads to people primarily through bite by infected Aedes mosquitoes. ZIKV infection during pregnancy can cause stillbirths or affect the fetus by causing serious birth defects, such as microcephaly and other brain defects. Although uncommon, adults with ZIKV can also develop Guillain-Barre syndrome and other neurological disorders. According to the World Health Organization’s July 2019 report, a total of 87 countries and territories have had evidence of mosquito-borne transmission of ZIKV.

Legionnaires' disease is caused by a type of bacteria called Legionella. CDC scientists have developed a real-time multiplex PCR assay for diagnosis and identification of Legionella strains. The assay consists of five sets of primers (targeting L. bozemanii, L. dumoffii, L. feeleii, L. longbeachae, or L. micdadei) and corresponding probes. Each probe is labeled with a different fluorophore which allows the detection of a particular strain in a single tube reaction.

A specific and sensitive TaqMan-based real-time (rt) RT-PCR assay has been developed by CDC scientists for detection of noroviruses in clinical and environmental specimens. This assay can be implemented to rapidly detect and distinguish norovirus strains from genogroups I and II, which are responsible for the majority of human infections. Additionally, the assay is multiplexed with an internal extraction control virus (coliphage MS2) to validate the results of the assay.

Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) is a severe, potentially deadly infection spread by mosquitos. CDC scientists have identified vitronectin as an important biomarker of DHF. They have shown vitronectin is significantly reduced in DHF and severe dengue infections when compared to dengue non-hemorrhagic fever patients. Presently, DHF is established by assessing antibody concentrations and other rule-of-thumb criteria, but often these assays can be difficult to interpret and lead to false conclusions.

Mosquitoes are responsible for spreading many viruses that can make people sick, including dengue, Zika, chikungunya, yellow fever, and more. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) new autocidal gravid ovitrap (AGO) mosquito trap is an inexpensive, simple-to-assemble, and easy-to-maintain trap that targets female mosquitoes looking for a place to lay eggs. The current trap model stands 18 inches (45cm) tall and is made of a 5-gallon (18L) bucket. The AGO trap's unique design lures mosquitoes by using water and an all-natural, organic hay attractant.

Dengue virus (DENV) is the cause of dengue illness (dengue fever, dengue hemorrhagic fever, and dengue shock syndrome). CDC researchers have developed a RT-PCR multiplex assay that, prior to sero-conversion, selectively detects dengue virus in biological or other fluid media, such as whole blood, plasma, or serum. The primers and probes from this assay are sufficiently specific to amplify and detect all four DENV serotypes. This FDA-approved technology may provide an improved method for rapid and accurate serotyping of dengue virus in clinical and research settings.

CDC scientists have developed a rapid, sensitive, and specific real-time PCR assay that is capable of detecting the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and determining its resistance profile to antibiotics, such as rifampicin and isoniazid. Currently, there are few assays available that are capable of both detecting M. tuberculosis and determining the bacteria's drug resistance. This assay incorporates multiple fluorescent chemistries, providing a simple and cost-effective method of determining the bacteria's drug resistance.

This invention relates to selective detection of human rhinovirus (HRV) in biological media. Specifically, this invention discloses a real-time TaqMan RT-PCR assay targeting the 5'-noncoding region of the HRV genome. This is a one-step, real-time nucleic acid assay that offers rapid, sensitive, and quantitative results. The assay is validated against all 100 recognized HRV prototype strains.

Legionella pneumophila is the causative species in most cases of Legionnaires' disease (LD). CDC scientists have developed a real-time PCR assay capable of detecting all Legionella species and discriminating L. pneumophila from other Legionella species. LD is typically difficult to diagnose from a clinical standpoint as it confers no unique clinical features or symptoms. This assay provides a rapid and accurate alternative to laborious PCR assays, prone to aberrant results.