Integrated microfluidic systems with an immunosensor modified with carbon nanotubes for detection of prostate specific antigen (PSA) in human serum samples

This paper describes the development of an immunosensor coupled to glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) (CNT-GCE) integrated with microfluidic systems for rapid and sensitive quantification of prostate specific antigen (PSA) in human serum samples. Mouse monoclonal (5G6) to PSA antibodies were immobilized on a rotating disk. PSA in the serum sample are allowed to react immunologically with the immobilized anti-tPSA and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) enzyme-labeled second antibodies specific to PSA. HRP, in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) catalyzes the oxidation of 4-tert-butylcatechol (4-TBC), whose back electrochemical reduction was detected on CNT-GCE at -0.15 V. The electrochemical detection can be done within 1 min and total assay time was 30 min. The calculated detection limits for electrochemical detection and the ELISA procedure are 0.08 and 0.5 microg L(-1), respectively and the intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation were below 4.5%. The electrochemical immunosensor showed higher sensitivity and lower time consumed than the standard spectrophotometric detection ELISA method, which shows potential for detecting PSA in clinical diagnosis.     

Integrated microfluidic magnetic immunosensor for quantification of human serum IgG antibodies to Helicobacter pylori

In this paper, we have developed and characterized a microfluidic magnetic immunosensor coupled to a gold electrode for the rapid and sensitive quantification of human serum IgG antibodies to Helicobacter pylori. This microorganism cause peptic ulcers and chronic gastritis, affecting around the 10% of the world population. The sensor was completely automated and the antibodies detection in serum samples was carried out using a non-competitive immunoassay based on the use of purified H. pylori antigens that are immobilized on magnetic microspheres 3-aminopropyl-modified. The magnetic microbeads were injected into microchannel devices and manipulated for an external removable magnet. The IgG antibodies in human serum sample are allowed to react immunologically with the immobilized antigens, and the bounded antibodies are quantified by alkaline phosphatase (AP) enzyme-labeled second antibodies specific to human IgG. The p-aminophenyl phosphate (p-APP) was converted to p-aminophenol (p-AP) by AP and an electroactive product was detected on gold layer electrode at 0.250 V. The response current obtained from the product of enzymatic reaction is directly proportional to the activity of the enzyme and, consequently, to the amount of IgG antibodies to H. pylori in serum samples. The electrochemical detection can be done within 1 min and total assay time was 25 min. The calculated detection limits for electrochemical detection and the ELISA procedure were 0.37 and 2.1 U mL⁻¹, respectively, and the within- and between-assay coefficients of variation were below 5%. Our results indicate the potential usefulness of our fabricated microbiochip for the early assessment of human serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to H. pylori.     

Continuous-flow/stopped-flow system for enzyme immunoassay using a rotating bioreactor: determination of Chagas disease

The high sensitivity that can be attained using an immunoassays coupled to a rotating bioreactor with electrochemical detection mediated by [Os(bpy)2Cl(pyCOOH)]Cl, has been verified for the detection of Trypanozoma cruzi (T. cruzi), This protozoan parasite causes Chagas disease, affecting more than 18 million people in central and south America. Antibodies in the serum sample are allowed to react immunologically with whole homogenates of the parasite as antigen that are immobilized on a rotating disk. The bound antibodies are quantified by a horseradish peroxidase (HRP) enzyme labeled second antibodies specific to human IgG in presence of hydrogen peroxide using an osmium complex [Os(bpy)2Cl(pyCOOH)]Cl as enzymatic mediators. The amperometric measurement performed at 0.00 V versus Ag/AgCl can be done within 2 min and the analysis time does not exceed 23 min. The calculated detection limits was 0.01 mIU ml(-1). Reproducibility assays were made using repetitive serum of 0.182 mIU ml(-1) T. cruzi specific antibody (measured as the activity of the correspondent anti-serum's enzyme conjugated); the percentage standard error was less than 5%. The amperometric immunoreactors showed significantly higher sensitivity and lower time consumed than the standard spectrophotometric detection ELISA method.     

Antibody enzymes in Helicobacter pylori-associated infection

The amidase activity of a fraction of IgG antibodies to H. pylori in cases of bacterial persistence in the antral section of the stomach and the duodenal bulb and the role of enzyme antibodies in the pathogenesis of this infection were evaluated. 113 patients were examined under clinical conditions. Diagnosis was made with the use of the morphological method, the rapid urease test (Jatrox-H.p.-Test, Germany) and ELISA (Diagnostic Automation Inc., USA). The amidase activity of serum IgG was determined. As proteolytic substrate benzoylarginine-p-nitroanilide (BAPNA) was used. The study revealed that in the blood serum of patients with chronic gastritis and/or duodenitis, caused by H. pylori, and the active persistence of H. pylori in the mucous membrane IgG antibodies to H. pylori having BAPNA-amidase activity could be detected.     

New antibodies immobilization system into a graphite-polysulfone membrane for amperometric immunosensors

Polysulfone membrane is used for the first time for the preparation of electrochemical immunosensors. A disposable immunosensor based on a porous conductor polymer graphite-polysulfone-electrode has been developed using a phase inversion technique for the determination of anti-rabbit IgG (anti-RIgG) as a model analyte. To construct the sensor, a conductor membrane was deposited on the surface of working graphite-epoxy composite (GEC) electrode. The membrane was characterized by SEM. This sensor was based on the competitive assay between free and labeled anti-RIgG for the available binding sites of immobilized rabbit IgG (RIgG). Incubation parameters were optimized in this work. The immunological reaction was detected using an enzymatic-labeling procedure (HRP enzyme) combined with the amperometric detection using H(2)O(2) as substrate and hydroquinone as mediator. This sensor shows stability during a week and a good reproducibility. The current was monitored amperometrically at -0.1 V versus SCE and this method showed a linear range of the anti-RIgG from 1 to 6 microg/ml. The detection limit was determined to be 0.77 microg/ml.     

羊抗人IgG的纯化及其在抗—HCV检测中的应用

单独或联合应用辛酸沉淀、饱和硫酸铵沉淀、阴离子交换等方法对羊抗人IgG进行纯化,对纯化前后抗体的纯度和免疫学活性进行比较,并与辣根过氧化物酶连接,作为二抗用于抗－HCV的ELISA检测。结果表明,不同方法纯化的抗体其纯度和免疫学活性具有一定程度的差别,其中经辛酸＋饱和硫酸铵沉淀纯化的抗体为最佳,凝胶扫描纯度为98．05％,比活性近1800,为纯化前的6．8倍。用痞根过氧化物酶标记后,作为酶标二抗检测HCV阴性和阳性标准血清各40份,阴性符合率为97．5％,阳性符合率为95％,可用于抗－HCV的ELISA检测。     

Amperometric immunosensor for diagnosis of BLV infection

A new amperometric immunosensor for detection of antibodies against bovine leukemia protein (gp51) was designed. The detection of antibody-antigen complex formation was based on application of secondary antibodies labeled with horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Ferrocenecarboxylic acid (FCA) and N,N,N',N'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) were selected as suitable mediators for this immunosensor. Optimal conditions for amperometric detection were found. Sensitivity of created system was compared with the results of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) reaction, and was sufficient for detection of usual anti-gp51 antibody concentration present in the blood serum of BLV-infected cattle.     

Salivary specific IgG is a sensitive indicator of the humoral immune response to Helicobacter pylori

Abstract In humans, salivary antibodies are secreted during humoral immune response. Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with systemic humoral immune response reflected by raised serum levels of specific IgG. The present study was aimed at exploring whether salivary concentrations of specific H. pylori IgG are a reliable indicator of H. pylori infection. Serum and salivary samples were obtained from 291 subjects attending the GI clinic and tested for H. pylori -specific IgG by a direct ELISA (94% sensitivity, 95% specificity for serum determinations) using a crude H. pylori sonicate as antigen. Data are given as optical density (mean±S.D.). Levels of salivary H. pylori IgG paralleled those of circulating specific IgG in the 291 subjects studied (0.981±0.431 vs. 0.777±0.682, respectively). A significant positive correlation was found between specific H. pylori IgG in sera and saliva samples (r = 0.981, P < 0.0001). An overall concordance between circulating and salivary H. pylori IgG was observed in 238 out of the 291 (81.7%) subjects. Salivary H. pylori IgG represent a sensitive marker of specific humoral immune response and they may substitute circulating H. pylori IgG measurement when sera samples are not available.     

Evaluation of rapid test Assure Helicobacter pylori for diagnosis of H. pylori in pediatric population

Non-invasive tests are needed to assess Helicobacter pylori infection, especially to screen a pediatric population. Assure H. pylori Rapid Test (Genelabs Diagnostics, Singapore) is an immunochromatographic assay device intended for the rapid detection of antibodies to H. pylori in human serum, plasma or whole blood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of the rapid test, Assure H. pylori, in the diagnosis of H. pylori infection in children, using a Portuguese pediatric population. The study group included 130 children with age ranging from 1 to 14 years old (average age 9.2+/-3.1 years). According to the gold standard, 70 of the 130 patients studied were H. pylori positive and 60 were H. pylori negative. Using Assure H. pylori Rapid Test (Genelabs Diagnostics, Singapore), 53 sera had a positive result after 15 min (resulting in 17 false negatives) and 57 sera a negative result (resulting in 3 false positives). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of the test were 75.7%, 95.0%, 94.6% and 77.0% respectively. When a longer read time of 45 min is considered, the rapid test revealed a good performance (sensitivity 98.6% and specificity 95%) in the evaluation of the H. pylori infection in a pediatric population. In conclusion, the test showed a good performance, suggesting its applicability as a screening method for the H. pylori infection.     

Detection of hantavirus infection in hemolyzed mouse blood using alkaline phosphatase conjugate

Conventional methods such as ELISA and culture require a long time for the determination of viral infections. Fast and reliable instrumentation suitable for operation under field conditions that allows rapid detection of hantavirus in rodent populations in the wild, would be a substantial improvement over these methods. In response to this challenge, a prototype amperometric immunosensor based on highly dispersed immunoelectrode for rapid, sensitive and quantitative assay of hantavirus in mice blood has been developed. A sandwich scheme of immunoassay is used and the naphthol that is formed as a result of enzymatic hydrolysis of alpha-naphthyl phosphate in the presence of alkaline phosphatase (AP) label is quantified amperometrically. The main complication faced when testing the amperometric immunosensor for application to mouse blood samples under field conditions is the removal of the interference caused by the electroactive components due to the hemolysis of the samples. We studied the possibility of using other enzyme markers such as AP to replace the horseradish peroxidase (HRP) used earlier in testing for antibodies against hantavirus in human blood plasma. Best results were obtained when the reference electrode is covered with a thin Nafion layer. Further improvement of assay performance was achieved by the modification of the sensing element. The amperometric immunoelectrode showed significantly higher sensitivity (more than 10-fold) than the standard spectrophotometric detection ELISA method. It can also be used for rapid analysis in conventional and field conditions in biological, physiological and analytical practices.     

Comparison of different carbon ink based screen-printed electrodes towards amperometric immunosensing

The aim of the present work was to make amperometric immunosensors based on the principle of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). For this purpose, screen-printed electrodes (SPEs) were fabricated using various carbon inks (commercially available inks Gwent, Acheson, Eltecks and two homemade inks PSG & PVCG) to determine the best ink in realizing immunosensors. Amperometric immunosensors made by different carbon inks were compared with standard ELISA in terms of total assay time, amount of biological materials used and sensitivity of detection. A model system containing rabbit anti-mouse immunoglobulin G (RαMIgG) as the capturing antibody, mouse IgG (MIgG) as antigen and alkaline phosphatase conjugated RαMIgG as revealing antibody was used. In these studies, 1-naphthyl phosphate was used as substrate. The experiments done include electrochemical characterization of electrodes, optimization of dilutions of antibodies, immobilization of antibody on the electrode were carried out. The minimum detection limit for the best results of MIgG determination were obtained on screen-printed electrode made by Gwent carbon ink and PSG carbon ink, with a detection limit of 1.0 and 2.0 ng/ml respectively. The time required for detection of mouse IgG was 40 min for SPEs. By using the conventional spectrophotometric method (ELISA method), the minimum detection limit for the MIgG (antigen) detection was 50 ng/ml and the time required for analysis was found to be 140 min.     

Isotypic analysis of specific antibody response in serum, saliva, gastric and rectal homogenates of Helicobacter pylori-infected patients

Abstract The relationship between systemic and local humoral immune response to Helicobacter pylori is poorly understood. To further address this issue we measured, using ELISA, H. pylori -specific IgG and IgA antibodies in serum, saliva, gastric and rectal homogenates of H. pylori -infected patients. A total of 107 patients who underwent upper GI endoscopy and/or sigmoidoscopy were studied. The isotypic pattern of H. pylori -specific antibodies appeared to differ at the serum, salivary, gastric and rectal mucosa level. Serum H. pylori IgG titers were higher than those of the serum-specific IgA. On the contrary, in saliva samples. H. pylori IgA titers were higher than specific IgG titers. In gastric homogenates, specific IgG and IgA titers were similar. H. pylori -specific IgG were detectable in rectal homogenates but no or very low H. pylori -specific IgA were found in the same material. Furthermore, no difference was found in H. pylori IgG and IgA in serum, saliva and gastric homogenates between duodenal ulcer and non-ulcer dyspepsia patients. Data of the present study indicate that, in H. pylori -infected patients, the specific immune response is as follows: (1) it involves the secretory immune system; (2) it is paralleled by the specific salivary IgA; (3) it does not differentiate duodenal ulcer from non-ulcer dyspepsia patients; and (4) it does not take place in the large bowel.     

Signal amplification of electrochemical immunosensor for the detection of human serum IgG using double-codified nanosilica particles as labels

A simple and sensitive method for in situ amplified electrochemical immunoassay of human serum IgG has been developed by using double-codified nanosilica particles as labels based on horseradish peroxidase-doped nanosilica particles (HRP-SiO(2)) with the conjugation of anti-IgG antibodies (anti-IgG-SiO(2)-HRP). With the sandwich-type immunoassay format, the linear range of the developed immunosensor by using anti-IgG-SiO(2)-HRP as tracer and hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) as enzyme substrate is 0.01-15 nmol/L IgG with a detection limit of 5.0 pmol/L, while the assay sensitivity by directly using HRP-labeled anti-IgG as secondary antibodies is 1.0-10 nmol/L with a detection limit of 0.1 nmol/L IgG. The reproducibility, stability and specificity of the proposed immunoassay method were acceptable. The IgG concentrations of the clinical serum specimens assayed by the developed immunosensor show consistent results in comparison with those obtained by commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method.     

Ligand-functionalized core/shell Ag@Au nanoparticles label-free amperometric immun-biosensor

A novel label-free electrochemical immunoassay based on core/shell Ag@Au nanoparticles monolayer as sensing interface has been developed for probing IgG. Several coupling techniques, such as Ag nanoparticles, Au nanoparticles, and the core/shell Ag@Au nanoparticles with L-Cysteine (Cys) cross-linking, were investigated for the determination of IgG and a very good result was obtained with the core/shell Ag@Au nanoparticles coupling. With the core/shell Ag@Au nanoparticles coupling method, the effects of the incubation time and pH on amperometric responses of the immunoassay were studied. The strong attachment of the cross-linked complex to the core/shell Ag@Au nanoparticles surface resulted in an excellent storage lifetime of 33 days. A dynamic concentration range of 2.3 to 960 ng/mL with a detection limit of 10 ng/mL was observed. Analytical results of 30 human serum samples obtained using the developing technique are in satisfactory agreement with those given by ELISA. In addition, it presents some superior advantages over the traditional sandwich format in that the analyzing performances are direct, rapid, and simple without multiple separation and labeling steps.     

Microfluidic immunosensor with gold nanoparticle platform for the determination of immunoglobulin G anti-Echinococcus granulosus antibodies

This article describes a microfluidic immunosensor, developed for the detection of IgG antibodies specific to Echinococcus granulosus in human serum samples, which represents an alternative tool that can be used for the immunodiagnosis of hydatidosis in an automated way. Our device consists of a Plexiglas system with a central channel and a gold electrode. For immobilization of the E. granulosus antigen, a gold electrode was modified with the incorporation of gold nanoparticles. Immobilized antigen was allowed to react with IgG-anti-E. granulosus antibodies in samples, and these were quantified by horseradish peroxidase (HRP) enzyme-labeled secondary antibodies specific to human IgG using catechol (Q) as enzymatic mediator. HRP in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) catalyzes the oxidation of Q to o-benzoquinone (P). The electrochemical reduction back to Q was detected on the gold electrode (AuE) at −0.15 V. The current obtained was proportional to the activity of the enzyme and to the concentration of antibodies of interest. The detection limit for electrochemical detection was 0.091 ng ml⁻¹, and the within- and between-assay coefficients of variation were below 6.7%. The proposed system presents many benefits, the more relevant are: reduced complexity and costs that are considered as the most wanted features for the clinical-immunodiagnostic field.     

Evaluation of stool antigen test, PCR on ORAL samples and serology for the noninvasive detection of Helicobacter pylori infection in children

BACKGROUND: Endoscopy represents the gold standard for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection. We evaluated three noninvasive tests in a group of children: the immunoassay for detection of H. pylori stool antigen, the polimerase chain reaction for identification of bacterial DNA on the oral cavity and the serum specific antibodies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and ninety children underwent endoscopy for various gastrointestinal symptoms. H. pylori stool antigen and anti-H. pylori antibodies were assayed by commercial kits. The bacterial DNA on saliva and oral plaque was detected by a seminested PCR. RESULTS: Based on the positivity of culture or urease rapid test and histology, infection was detected in 47 patients. The statistical analysis showed that, for the detection of the infection, stool antigen assay is more effective in sensitivity and negative predictive value (91.5% and 96.5%), whereas specificity and positive predictive values appear slightly better in serology (89.6% and 76.0%). Correlations between serum IgG both with patients' age (r = 0.21, p < .05) and H. pylori stool antigen (r = 0.47, p < .01) were found. The search for bacterial DNA on oral samples proved to be very specific (99.1% on saliva and 98.2% on plaque), but insensitive (22.2% and 25.7%). CONCLUSIONS. In children H. pylori stool antigen represents a sensitive test, suitable for detecting H. pylori infection. Serum IgG proved to be more specific; the PCR on the oral cavity resulted as being a very specific, but insensitive test.     

Ultrasensitive electrochemical aptasensor for thrombin based on the amplification of aptamer-AuNPs-HRP conjugates

Successful development of an ultrasensitive and highly specific electrochemical aptasensor for thrombin based on amplification of aptamer-gold nanoparticles-horseradish peroxidase (aptamer-AuNPs-HRP) conjugates was reported. In this electrochemical protocol, aptamer1 (Apt1) was immobilized on core/shell Fe(3)O(4)/Au magnetic nanoparticles (AuMNPs) and served as capture probe. Aptamer2 (Apt2) was dual labeled with AuNPs and HRP and used as detection probe. In the presence of thrombin, the sandwich format of AuMNPs-Apt1/thrombin/Apt2-AuNPs-HRP was fabricated. Remarkable signal amplification was realized by taking the advantage of AuNPs and catalytic reactions of HRP. Other proteins, such as human serum albumin, lysozyme, fibrinogen, and IgG did not show significant interference with the assay for thrombin. Linear response to thrombin concentration in the range of 0.1-60 pM and lower detection limit down to 30 fM (S/N=3) was obtained with the proposed method. This electrochemical aptasensor is simple, rapid (the whole detection period for a thrombin sample is less than 35 min), sensitive and highly specific, it shows promising potential in protein detection and disease diagnosis.     

IgG antibody titer against Helicobacter pylori correlates with presence of cytotoxin associated gene A-positive H. pylori strains

The level of the IgG antibody titer against Helicobacter pylori correlates with the severity of gastritis. H. pylori strains can harbor the so-called pathogenicity island, containing the cytotoxin associated gene (cagA). Since cagA-positive strains are more virulent it can be postulated that the gastritis will be more severe and hence the IgG antibody titer higher. In a cross-sectional study the correlation of IgG antibody titer and cagA status was studied from patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Biopsy specimens were obtained to determine the H. pylori status. In addition a serum sample was taken for detection of IgG antibodies against H. pylori as well as CagA. A total of 290 patients positive for IgG antibodies against H. pylori were included. Of these 153 were cagA-positive and 137 were cagA-negative. The mean IgG antibody titer was significantly higher in cagA-positive patients compared to cagA-negatives, 0.75 (S.D. 0.22) versus 0.69 (S.D. 0.24) (P=0.033). It is concluded that the IgG antibody titer is significantly higher in patients harboring cagA-positive H. pylori strains. However, in daily practice the level in IgG antibody titer cannot predict whether or not an individual carries a cagA-positive H. pylori strain since major overlap in IgG antibody titer between cagA-positive and cagA-negative patients is present.     

Disposable amperometric immunosensing strips fabricated by Au nanoparticles-modified screen-printed carbon electrodes for the detection of foodborne pathogen Escherichia coli O157:H7

A disposable amperometric immunosensing strip was fabricated for rapid detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7. The method uses an indirect sandwich enzyme-linked immunoassay with double antibodies. Screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs) were framed by commercial silver and carbon inks. For electrochemical characterization the carbon electrodes were coupled with the first E. coli O157:H7-specific antibody, E. coli O157:H7 intact cells and the second E. coli O157:H7-specific antibody conjugated with horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Hydrogen peroxide and ferrocenedicarboxylic acid (FeDC) were used as the substrate for HRP and mediator, respectively, at a potential +300 mV vs. counter/reference electrode. The response current (RC) of the immunosensing strips could be amplified significantly by 13-nm diameter Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) attached to the working electrode. The results show that the combined effects of AuNPs and FeDC enhanced RC by 13.1-fold. The SPCE immunosensing strips were used to detect E. coli O157:H7 specifically. Concentrations of E. coli O157:H7 from 10(2) to 10(7)CFU/ml could be detected. The detection limit was approximately 6CFU/strip in PBS buffer and 50CFU/strip in milk. The SPCE modified with AuNPs and FeDC has the potential for further applications and provides the basis for incorporating the method into an integrated system for rapid pathogen detection.     

The humoral immuneresponse to Helicobacter pylori infection in children with gastrointestinal symptoms

The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori is high in Eastern Europe. The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of H. pylori in symptomatic Lithuanian children and to identify the infection by clinicopathological and serological analyses. One hundred sixteen symptomatic children (age 8-16) with gastritis and duodenal ulcer were included. Biopsies were histologically assessed according to the Sydney-System. Serum IgG antibodies against H. pylori were detected by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), using low molecular mass antigen. The western blot technique was used to detect serum antibodies against the cytotoxin-associated protein (CagA) using whole cell antigen. Histologically the prevalence of H. pylori infection was 79% and not influenced by demographic factors. Mucosal inflammation and atrophy were associated with a H. pylori infection. Intestinal metaplasia was found in eight children, suggesting early H. pylori acquisition in life. Increased levels of IgG antibodies were detected in 57% of children. The prevalence of IgG antibodies was significantly higher in patients with duodenal ulcer compared to children with gastritis. Forty-four (67%) H. pylori-seropositive children had antibodies against CagA. Low molecular weight-ELISA and whole cell-western blot results were significantly associated with histopathology, the presence of duodenal ulcer and the CagA status. A high number of false seronegative cases were due to poor immunological responses in children and poor locally validated tests. The prevalence of H. pylori infection in Lithuanian children is higher compared to Western Europe. The infection is acquired in early life. Diagnosing H. pylori infection, serology is helpful, but endoscopy/histology remains as gold standard.