Aims: Pathogenic variants in mitochondrial DNA are known to be associated with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and aminoglycoside-induced HL. Among them, the m.1555A>G mutation is the most common. Thus, a rapid and easy companion diagnostic method for this mutation would be desirable to prevent HL caused by aminoglycoside therapy. In this study, we report an improved protocol for the single-stranded tag hybridization chromatographic printed-array strip (STH-PAS) method for identifying the m.1555A>G mutation. Methods: To evaluate the accuracy of a novel diagnostic for the m.1555A>G mutation we analyzed 378 DNA samples with or without the m.1555A>G mutation, as determined by Invader assay, and calculated the sensitivity, specificity, and false negative and false positive ratios of this new method. Results: The newly developed protocol was robust; we, obtained the same results using multiple DNA concentrations, differing annealing temperatures, and different polymerase chain reaction thermal cyclers. The diagnostic sensitivity based on the STH-PAS method was 0.99, and the specificity was 1.00. The false negative and false positive ratios were 0 and 0.01, respectively. Conclusion: We improved the genotyping method for m.1555A>G mutations. This assays will be useful as a rapid companion diagnostic before aminoglycoside use.
Keywords: aminoglycoside antibiotics; hearing loss; mitochondria; rapid companion diagnostic.