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Updated: May 1, 2026
Author Spotlight: Advancements and Challenges in Hepatitis B Virus Detection
Published on: December 15, 2023
Development of an electrochemical sensing technique for rapid genotyping of hepatitis B virus
Jinyuan Chen1, Shaohuang Weng2, Qingqiong Chen3
1Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350005, China. cjyfjmu@163.com.
Objective:
To develop a convenient; sensitive; accurate; and economical technique for genotyping of hepatitis B viruses (HBVs).
Methods:
The mercapto-modified B1; B2; C1; and C2-specific genotyping probes consisted of two probes for each HBV genotype that served as a double verification system. These probes were fixed on the surface of No. 1; 2; 3; and 4 gold electrodes; respectively; via Au-S bonds. Different charge generated by the binding of RuHex to phosphate groups of the DNA backbone before and after hybridization was used for distinguishing the different genotypes.
Results:
During hybridization with genotype B; the charges detected at the No. 1 and 2 electrodes were significantly increased; while the charge at the No. 3 and 4 electrodes did not change significantly. During hybridization with genotype C; the charges detected at No. 3 and 4 electrodes were significantly increased; while the signals remained unchanged at the No. 1 and 2 electrodes. During hybridization with mixed genotypes (B and C); the charges detected at all four electrodes were significantly increased. The linear range of detection was 10(-7) to 10(-10) mol/L and the sensitivity for detecting mixed B (10%) or C (10%).
Conclusions:
Rapid genotyping of HBVs based on electrochemical sensing is simple, has good specificity; and can greatly reduce the cost. This method can be used for sensitive detection of mixed B and C HBV genotypes.
