Highly Active and Stable Au@Pt Nanozymes-Based Colorimetric Nucleic Acids Detection for Varicella-Zoster Virus...

Currently, DNA is primarily detected using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) kits. However, their widespread clinical application is hindered by their high cost and the need for sophisticated instrumentation. Consequently, there is an urgent need to develop simpler DNA screening methods that are both cost-effective and compatible with resource-limited settings, thereby eliminating the need for complex equipment.

Taking advantage of the DNA-controlled property as well as the ultrahigh peroxidase-like catalytic activity of the Au@Pt nanozymes, we developed a simple and sensitive platform for the colorimetric detection of DNA sequence of varicella-zoster virus.

Visual inspection of chromogenic reactions clearly demonstrated that the target DNA effectively inhibited the peroxidase-like activity of Au@Pt nanozymes. The response ranging from 1 to 1000 ng/mL, combined with a detection limit of 1ng/mL confirms the remarkable sensitivity of DNA-mediated regulation of Au@Pt nanozyme activity. Specificity assessment against other common infectious viruses revealed exceptional selectivity of the Au@Pt nanozyme system for varicella-zoster viruses. Moreover, the robust stability (retaining functionality for four weeks) of Au@Pt nanozymes further enhanced their practical utility.

This novel technology demonstrates high specificity for target DNA and achieved perfect agreement with RT-PCR in clinical validation. Its combination of operational simplicity, requiring no instrumentation, and remarkable stability positions it as a highly promising tool for diagnosing infectious diseases.