Developing a Point-of-Care Diagnostic Test for Pediatric Onychomycosis and Tinea Capitis
Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth
Dartmouth Health
Overview:
Fungal infections of the scalp and nails are common in children and can be difficult to diagnose and treat. Pediatric scalp infections have increased in recent years, especially among Black populations in the U.S. Nail infections are also more prevalent in conditions like Down syndrome. Current testing is slow and expensive, so treatment often begins without confirming the infection, increasing the risk of side effects or poor outcomes. In this study, we developed a rapid and affordable diagnostic test using CRISPR technology to accurately detect the most common fungal species that cause these infections. Our method combines two tools: one amplifies and screens for causative fungal DNA within 20 minutes, and the other confirms the specific type of fungus within 10 minutes using CRISPR. We aim to expand this test to detect additional causative fungal species, including drug-resistant ones, making it a valuable tool for care centers with limited resources.
Status:
This was funded through a 2025 PeDRA Emerging Investigator Research Grant.