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Updated: Feb 12, 2026
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Multiplexed Isothermal Amplification Based Diagnostic Platform to Detect Zika, Chikungunya, and Dengue 1
Published on: March 13, 2018
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Inexpensive High-Throughput Multiplexed Cytokine Detection for Tuberculosis Diagnostics Using Amplified Enzymatic
Kanz Elkhiyari1, Balazs Kaszala1, Asma Hashim1
1Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States.
ACS Sensors
|February 10, 2026
Summary
A new, low-cost diagnostic platform detects multiple tuberculosis (TB) biomarkers from blood. This affordable technology uses cellphone imaging for sensitive detection, improving TB diagnosis in resource-limited settings.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Medical Diagnostics
- Immunology
Background:
- Accurate and affordable diagnostics are crucial for tuberculosis (TB) control.
- Interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs) detect latent TB but require specialized equipment.
- Multiplexed cytokine detection can improve accuracy but is currently expensive and complex.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a low-cost, high-throughput platform for multiplexed cytokine detection.
- To enable sensitive detection of TB biomarkers using readily available technology.
- To create a point-of-care compatible tool for improved TB diagnostics.
Main Methods:
- Developed a multiplexed cytokine detection platform using amplified enzymatic silver metallization on plastic.
- Assay performed in microwells on a petri dish with dry readout via cellphone camera.
- Measured interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin-2 (IL-2), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) from <5μL blood.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated detection of clinically relevant sub-picomolar levels of multiple cytokines.
- Successfully distinguished between IGRA+ and IGRA- participant samples from a TB-endemic area.
- Platform significantly reduces cost and complexity compared to existing methods.
Conclusions:
- The developed platform offers a low-cost, sensitive, and multiplexed approach for TB diagnostics.
- This technology has the potential to overcome limitations of current IGRAs in resource-poor settings.
- Enables improved TB screening and management through accessible point-of-care testing.
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