Arch-shaped multiple-target sensing for rapid diagnosis and identification of emerging infectious pathogens

Rapid identification of emerging infectious pathogens is crucial for preventing public health threats. Various pathogen detection techniques have been introduced; however, most techniques are time-consuming and lack multiple-target detection specificity. Although multiple-target detection techniques can distinguish emerging infectious pathogens from related pathogens, direct amplification methods have not been widely examined. Here, we present a novel arch-shaped multiple-target sensor capable of rapid pathogen identification using direct amplification in clinical samples. In this study, an arch-shaped amplification containing primer sequences was designed to rapidly amplify multiple targets. Further, the sensing platform allowed for sensitive and specific detection of human coronavirus, Middle East respiratory syndrome, Zika virus, and Ebola virus down to several copies. This platform also simultaneously distinguished between Middle East respiratory syndrome and human coronavirus in clinical specimens within 20 min. This arch-shaped multiple-target sensing assay can provide rapid, sensitive, and accurate diagnoses of emerging infectious diseases in clinical applications. •A novel arch-shaped multiple-target sensing capable of rapid pathogen identification.•An arch-shaped amplification containing primer sequences to rapidly amplify multiple targets.•Allowed sensitive and specific detection of MERS, ZIKV, and EBOV in 20 min.•Validated clinical utility of the platform in MERS patient samples.