Development of a lateral-flow immunochromatographic strip using gold nanoparticles for Helicobacter pylori detection

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) plays an important role in the development of chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer diseases, gastric adenocarcinoma, and gastric mucosal associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. The standard methods of bacterial staining, bacterial culture, and urease testfor the detection of H. pylori are time consuming and invasive. Non-invasive testing plays a significant role in the test-and-treat approach to H. pylori management. Lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) is a promising method for pathogenic detection that is fast, easy to use, and low cost. In the present study, the authors developed an H. pylori LFIA strip using gold nanoparticles for H. pylori detection. The results reported that 20 μg of anti-H. pylori antibody mixed with 1 mL AuNPs solution and incubated for 2 hours was the best concentration preparation for application coverage over the gold nanoparticle surface. The limit of detection observable by the naked eye was 15 μg of H. pylori protein lysate. The findings of this study suggest the possible future development of an H. pylori LFLA strip for fast, easy to use, and low-cost diagnostic testing.