Wash-free, label-free immunoassay for rapid electrochemical detection of PfHRP2 in whole blood samples

Sci Rep. 2018 Nov 20;8(1):17129. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-35471-8.

Abstract

Currently, the diagnosis of many diseases relies on laboratory-based immunoassays (ELISA, Western Blot), which are laborious, time-consuming and expensive. To address these limitations, we report a wash-free and label-free electrochemical immunoassay for rapid measurements of protein biomarkers in blood samples. This immunosensor employs a unique detection scheme based on electrochemical-chemical (EC) redox cycling for signal amplification combined with an affinity-based protein quantification strategy. All of the reagents required for this assay are dried and stored on a stacked membrane assembly, consisting of a Vivid Plasma Separation membrane and two cellulose membranes situated above the sensor, enabling excellent stability at room temperature for up to 2 months. Proof of concept was carried out by performing measurements of Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich protein 2 (PfHRP2) in whole blood samples, which could be detected from 100 ng/mL to 100 µg/mL with excellent specificity and reproducibility. Each measurement requires only two liquid dispensing steps and can completed in 5 min, making this diagnostic platform promising for point-of-care testing in resource-limited settings.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, Protozoan / blood*
  • Electrochemical Techniques / instrumentation
  • Electrochemical Techniques / methods
  • Equipment Design
  • Humans
  • Immunoassay / instrumentation
  • Immunoassay / methods*
  • Limit of Detection
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Protozoan Proteins / blood*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Ruthenium / chemistry
  • Sensitivity and Specificity

Substances

  • Antigens, Protozoan
  • HRP-2 antigen, Plasmodium falciparum
  • Protozoan Proteins
  • Ruthenium