C-Reactive Protein Biosensor for Diagnosing Infections Caused by Orthopedic Trauma

Infections linked to orthopedic trauma are common complications that place a significant strain on the healthcare system. Immediate identification of the infection and its severity is essential for providing effective treatment.

C-reactive Protein (CRP) is a commonly used inflammatory marker in orthopedic surgery and has proven to be a valuable biomarker for diagnosing and monitoring infections. Specifically, CRP aids in the early identification of postoperative infections. This research work has focused on developing a highly sensitive CRP biosensor using iron oxide nanomaterial-modified dielectric sensors.

Gold Urchin (GU)-conjugated aptamers and antibodies were used as probes and attached to the electrode via amine linkers. The aptamer-GU-antibody-modified electrode detected CRP at concentrations as low as 1 pg/mL, with an R2 value of 0.9942. Furthermore, CRP-spiked serum exhibited an increase in current response at all concentrations of CRP, indicating selective detection of CRP. Additionally, control experiments using complementary sequences of the aptamer, relevant proteins, and non-immune antibodies did not enhance the current responses, confirming the specific identification of CRP.

The sensing strategy has enabled the detection of CRP at its lowest levels, facilitating the identification of infections during orthopedic surgery and subsequent treatment.