Development of a novel duplex recombinase polymerase amplification (DRPA) assay for rapid detection of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii

Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) poses a major public health threat due to its multidrug resistance and high mortality rates, necessitating rapid and accurate diagnostic tools for timely intervention and infection control. This study developed and evaluated a novel detection method combining duplex recombinase polymerase amplification (DRPA) with a lateral flow strip (LFS) for the rapid visual identification of CRAB. The DRPA-LFS assay targets bla_OXA-23 and bla_OXA-51 genes, enabling isothermal amplification at 37 °C followed by a simple visual readout. The method demonstrated high sensitivity (10² CFU). Results can be obtained within 40 min without the need for complex instrumentation, making it suitable for resource-limited environments. the method offers a portable, user-friendly, and cost-effective solution for CRAB detection.