Paper-based microfluidic electro-analytical device (PMED) for magneto-assay automation: Towards generic point-of-care...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Analytical Chemistry
• Point-of-Care Diagnostics

Background:

• Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are widely used for point-of-care (POC) testing due to their ease of use.
• However, RDTs suffer from limitations including low sensitivity, subjective visual interpretation, batch variability, and poor storage stability.
• Existing RDTs are typically paper-bound, limiting their analytical capabilities and quantitative accuracy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a versatile and cost-effective technology for point-of-care (POC) infectious disease diagnostics.
• To overcome the limitations of traditional rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) by providing quantitative and objective results.
• To demonstrate the application of the developed technology for detecting specific biomarkers, including Plasmodium falciparum lactate dehydrogenase (Pf-LDH).

Main Methods:

• Development of inexpensive paper-based microfluidic electro-analytical devices (PMEDs) using locally sourced, low-cost equipment.
• Integration of short magneto-assays with PMEDs for analyte detection.
• Utilized commercial or customized screen-printed electrodes and measurement equipment for quantitative analysis.

Main Results:

• PMEDs demonstrated room temperature stability, ease of use, and provided quantitative, objective results.
• The technology successfully quantified streptavidin-HRP, biotinylated HRP, and Plasmodium falciparum lactate dehydrogenase (Pf-LDH) within 25 minutes.
• Pf-LDH detection in diluted whole blood showed a linear response (3-25 ng/mL), with low detection and quantification limits, correlating well with ELISA reference methods.

Conclusions:

• The developed PMED technology offers a versatile, simple, and highly cost-effective solution for point-of-care (POC) testing.
• This technology addresses key limitations of traditional RDTs, enabling accurate and objective disease diagnosis.
• PMEDs hold significant potential for improving infectious disease diagnostics in resource-limited settings.