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Updated: Dec 14, 2025
Rapid and Specific Detection of Acinetobacter baumannii Infections Using a Recombinase Polymerase Amplification/Cas12a-based System
Published on: April 25, 2025
DNA based biosensing of Acinetobacter baumannii using nanoparticles aggregation method
Farnaz Bahavarnia1,2,3,4, Paria Pashazadeh-Panahi5,6,7, Mohammad Hasanzadeh8
1Food and Drug Safety Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
Abstract:
Acinetobacter baumannii is the main cause of nosocomial infections in blood, urinary tract, wounds and in lungs leading to pneumonia. Apart from its strong predilection to be the cause of serious illnesses in intensive care units. Herein, we present a specific and sensitive approach for the monitoring of Acinetobacter baumannii genome based on citrate capped silver nanoparticles (Cit-AgNPs) using spectroscopic methods. In this study, (5' SH-TTG TGA ACT ATT TAC GTC AGC ATG C3') sequence was used as a probe DNA (pDNA) of Acinetobacter baumannii. Then, complementary DNA (cDNA) was used for hybridization. After the hybridization of pDNA with cDNA, target DNA (5' GCA TGC TGA CGT AAA TAGTTC ACA A 3') was recognized and detected using turn-on fluorescence bioassay. After the hybridization of pDNA with cDNA, the target DNA was successfully measured in optimum time of 2 min by spectrophotometric techniques. Moreover, the selectivity of designed bioassay was evaluated in the presence of two mismatch sequences and excellent differentiation was obtained. 1 Zepto-molar (zM) of low limit of quantification (LLOQ) was achieved by this genosensor. The present study paved the way for quick (2 min) and accurate detection of Acinetobacter baumannii, which can be a good alternative to the traditional methods. Current study proposed a novel and significant diagnostic test towards Acinetobacter baumannii detection based on silver nanoparticles aggregation which has the capability of being a good alternative to the traditional methods. Moreover, the proposed genosensor successfully could be applied for the detection of other pathogens.
Insights
A novel genosensor using citrate-capped silver nanoparticles (Cit-AgNPs) enables rapid, 2-minute detection of Acinetobacter baumannii DNA. This sensitive method offers a promising alternative to traditional diagnostics for this common nosocomial pathogen.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology-based biosensing
- Molecular diagnostics
- Antimicrobial resistance surveillance
Background:
- Acinetobacter baumannii is a major cause of hospital-acquired infections, particularly in intensive care units.
- Current diagnostic methods for A. baumannii can be time-consuming and lack sensitivity.
- There is a critical need for rapid and accurate detection methods to guide treatment and control infection spread.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a specific and sensitive method for detecting Acinetobacter baumannii DNA.
- To utilize citrate-capped silver nanoparticles (Cit-AgNPs) for genosensing applications.
- To establish a rapid diagnostic tool for A. baumannii monitoring.
Main Methods:
- Design of a specific DNA probe (pDNA) for Acinetobacter baumannii.
- Hybridization of pDNA with complementary DNA (cDNA) and target DNA.
- Detection using a turn-on fluorescence bioassay and spectrophotometric techniques with Cit-AgNPs.
Main Results:
- Successful detection of Acinetobacter baumannii target DNA within an optimal time of 2 minutes.
- High selectivity demonstrated, with excellent differentiation from mismatch sequences.
- Achieved a low limit of quantification (LLOQ) of 1 zeptomolar (zM), indicating high sensitivity.
Conclusions:
- The developed genosensor provides a rapid (2 min) and accurate method for Acinetobacter baumannii detection.
- Cit-AgNPs-based biosensing offers a viable and potentially superior alternative to traditional diagnostic approaches.
- The proposed genosensor platform shows potential for detecting other pathogenic microorganisms.
