Efficient and Simple Paper-Based Assay for Plasma Separation Using Universal Anti-H Agglutinating Antibody

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Point-of-Care Diagnostics
• Immunodiagnostics

Background:

• Conventional plasma separation relies on centrifugation, requiring skilled personnel and specialized laboratory equipment.
• This limits accessibility in resource-constrained environments and for point-of-care (POC) applications.
• A simple, reliable, and cost-effective alternative for plasma separation is needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a novel paper-based assay for rapid plasma separation from whole blood.
• To utilize anti-H agglutinating antibodies for efficient and equipment-free plasma isolation.
• To assess the assay's performance characteristics, including efficiency, reproducibility, and sensitivity.

Main Methods:

• Plasma separation was achieved using filter paper treated with anti-H agglutinating antibodies.
• Hydrophobic channels were fabricated on the filter paper using a solid ink printer.
• The assay's performance was validated using a large number of blood samples, evaluating purity, efficiency, recovery, and sensitivity.

Main Results:

• A simple, fast, and inexpensive paper-based assay for plasma separation was successfully developed.
• The assay demonstrated high efficiency (72%) and reproducibility (approx. 90%) with minimal variability.
• It achieved high sensitivity (97.5%) and accurate recovery of thyroid stimulating hormone (107%) compared to standard methods.

Conclusions:

• Paper-based plasma separation using anti-H agglutinating antibodies offers a promising solution for POC diagnostics.
• The developed assay is suitable for resource-limited settings due to its simplicity and low cost.
• This technology has broad potential applications in various diagnostic tests.