40-Minute Test for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Developed at University of Missouri

A team at the University of Missouri has developed a rapid diagnostic test for Rocky Mountain spotted fever that can deliver results in just 40 minutes, a significant improvement over current laboratory methods. The new assay combines recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) with CRISPR/Cas12a detection, allowing for isothermal amplification and specific identification of the pathogen *Rickettsia rickettsii*.

Published in *Frontiers in Microbiology*, the study demonstrates that the RPA–CRISPR/Cas12a platform can detect the bacterium with high sensitivity and specificity using minimal sample preparation. The assay’s quick turnaround time and reliance on simple equipment could enable point‑of‑care testing in clinical settings, reducing the delay between symptom onset and treatment initiation.

If adopted widely, this technology could improve patient outcomes by facilitating earlier administration of appropriate antibiotics and reducing the risk of severe complications associated with delayed diagnosis of Rocky Mountain spotted fever.