Mizzou researchers develop rapid test for deadly tick-borne disease
Wed, July 22, 2026 at 1:41 PM
UpdatedWed, July 22, 2026 at 1:46 PM
Researchers at the University of Missouri have discovered a way to speed up detections of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, a deadly tick-borne disease. (file – photo)
Researchers at the University of Missouri have discovered a way to speed up detections of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), a deadly tick-borne disease
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, RMSF is a potentially life-threatening bacterial disease that spreads through the bite of an infected tick
Signs and symptoms of the disease include fever, headache, rash, stomach pain, muscle pain, lack of appetite, and nausea or vomiting
Existing diagnostic tools can be expensive, hard to access, or unable to detect small amounts of bacteria in blood samples
“Unfortunately, this disease can be particularly deadly in children if diagnosis is delayed, and often patients may not realize they have been bitten by a tick until they feel extremely ill,” Roman Ganta, a Curators’ Distinguished Professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine and investigator in the Bond Life Sciences Center, said
Researchers at Mizzou have discovered a new method that can detect RMSF in just 40 minutes
According to researchers, the test involves mixing DNA from a sample with specialized reagents in two quick, 20-minute steps, and can be completed at room temperature without the need for complex and costly laboratory equipment
After 40 minutes, a change in liquid color indicates a positive detection of the bacteria
The antibiotic doxycycline is used to treat RMSF, and clinicians often prescribe it while waiting on confirmatory testing
“Quicker diagnosis leads to quicker treatment with doxycycline, so we are hopeful our research can improve outcomes for those impacted,” Ganta said. “By making this test more accessible, more patients can benefit from our work one day.”
