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Published on: May 8, 2013
Nanozyme linked multi-array gas driven sensor for real-time quantitative detection of Group A streptococcus
1Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China. xiyun1993@163.com.
Abstract:
Group A streptococcus (GAS) is a pathogen typically transmitted through respiratory droplets and skin contact, causing an estimated 700 million mild non-invasive infections worldwide each year. There are approximately 650 000 infections that progress to severe invasive infections, even resulting in death. Therefore, the ability to detect GAS rapidly, accurately and in real time is important. Herein, we developed a nanozyme linked multi-array gas driven sensor (NLMAGS) to point-of-care testing of GAS within 2 h. The NLMAGS demonstrated excellent performance as it combined the advantages of nanozyme techniques, immunoassay techniques, and 3D printing techniques. Platinum- and palladium-rich nanozyme particles (Au@Pt@PdNPs) were synthesized and used to label monocloning antibodies as detection probes. Magnetic beads were labeled with monocloning antibodies as capture probes to establish a double-antibody sandwich immunoassay for the detection of GAS. The sandwich immune complex can catalyze the H2O2 substrate and produce O2. GAS quantification can be achieved by measuring the distance that the O2 pushes the ink drops forward in the sensor. Under optimized conditions, the NLMAGS quantitatively detected 24 spiked samples with a limit of detection (LOD) of 62 CFU mL-1, which was 5 times lower than that of ELISA (334 CFU mL-1). A strong correlation with the conventional ELISA was found (r = 0.99, P < 0.001). In comparison, the traditional lateral flow immunoassay based on Au@Pt@PdNPs-mAb2 (Au@Pt@PdNPs-LFIA) had a LOD of 104 CFU mL-1, which was significantly higher than that of NLMAGS. The NLMAGS demonstrated excellent sensitivity to GAS. The intra- and inter-assay precisions of the sensor were below 15%. Overall, the established NLMAGS has promising potential as a rapid and quantitative method for detecting GAS and can also be used to detect various pathogens.
Insights
A new nanozyme-linked sensor rapidly detects Group A Streptococcus (GAS) infections within two hours. This advanced diagnostic tool offers high sensitivity and accuracy for point-of-care testing, improving upon existing methods.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Diagnostic Technologies
- Microbiology
Background:
- Group A Streptococcus (GAS) causes millions of mild infections and hundreds of thousands of severe, potentially fatal invasive infections annually.
- Rapid, accurate, and real-time detection of GAS is crucial for timely clinical intervention and public health management.
- Existing diagnostic methods may lack the speed, sensitivity, or point-of-care accessibility required for effective GAS detection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel nanozyme-linked multi-array gas-driven sensor (NLMAGS) for rapid, point-of-care detection of Group A Streptococcus (GAS).
- To evaluate the performance, sensitivity, and accuracy of the NLMAGS compared to established diagnostic techniques like ELISA and lateral flow immunoassays.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized platinum- and palladium-rich nanozyme particles (Au@Pt@PdNPs) for labeling antibodies as detection probes.
- Developed a double-antibody sandwich immunoassay using magnetic beads as capture probes and Au@Pt@PdNPs-labeled antibodies as detection probes.
- Quantified GAS by measuring oxygen production, catalyzed by the immune complex, which drives ink drops forward in the gas-driven sensor.
Main Results:
- The NLMAGS achieved a limit of detection (LOD) of 62 CFU mL⁻¹, which is 5 times lower than ELISA (334 CFU mL⁻¹).
- Demonstrated excellent quantitative detection of GAS in spiked samples with high correlation to ELISA (r = 0.99, P < 0.001).
- Outperformed traditional lateral flow immunoassays, showing a significantly lower LOD (62 CFU mL⁻¹ vs. 10⁴ CFU mL⁻¹).
Conclusions:
- The NLMAGS provides a highly sensitive and rapid method for quantitative GAS detection at the point-of-care within 2 hours.
- The sensor integrates nanozyme, immunoassay, and 3D printing techniques for enhanced performance and diagnostic capabilities.
- The NLMAGS shows significant potential for detecting various pathogens beyond GAS, offering a versatile diagnostic platform.
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