MSGID: 1:317/3 64acdb15   
   PID: hpt/lnx 1.9.0-cur 2019-01-08   
   TID: hpt/lnx 1.9.0-cur 2019-01-08   
    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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   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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   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   
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   Link to news story:   
   https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/07/230710113813.htm   
      
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