Dual-Signal Readout Nanospheres for Rapid Point-of-Care Detection of Ebola Virus Glycoprotein

• Published in: Analytical chemistry (Washington) Vol. 89; no. 24; pp. 13105 - 13111
• Main Authors: Hu, Jiao, Jiang, Yong-Zhong, Wu, Ling-Ling, Wu, Zhen, Bi, Yuhai, Wong, Gary, Qiu, Xiangguo, Chen, Jianjun, Pang, Dai-Wen, Zhang, Zhi-Ling
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Chemical Society 19.12.2017
• Subjects: antibodies; Assaying; Biotin; Chemistry; Colorimetry; detection limit; Drinking water; early diagnosis; Ebola virus; Ebolavirus; Ebolavirus - chemistry; Fluorescence; Glycoproteins; Glycoproteins - analysis; Gold; Gold - chemistry; Humans; nanogold; Nanoparticles; Nanospheres; Nanospheres - chemistry; pathogens; Point-of-Care Systems; probability; Quantum dots; rapid methods; Streptavidin; tap water; Urine; Visual signals; Water analysis; Water sampling
• ISSN: 0003-2700; 1520-6882; 1520-6882
• DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.7b02222

Rapid detection of highly contagious pathogens is the key to increasing the probability of survival and reducing infection rates. We developed a sensitive and quantitative lateral flow assay for detection of Ebola virus (EBOV) glycoprotein with a novel multifunctional nanosphere (RNs@Au) as a reporter. Each RNs@Au contains hundreds of quantum dots and dozens of Au nanoparticles and can achieve enhanced dual-signal readout (fluorescence signal for quantitative detection and colorimetric signal for visual detection). Antibody (Ab) and streptavidin (SA) were simultaneously modified onto the RNs@Au to label the target and act as signal enhancer. After the target was labeled by the Ab–RNs@Au–SA and captured on the test line, biotin-modified RNs@Au was used to amplify the dual signal by the reaction of SA with biotin. The assay enables naked-eye detection of 2 ng/mL glycoprotein within 20 min, and the quantitative detection limit is 0.18 ng/mL. Additionally, the assay has been successfully tested in field work for detecting EBOV in spiked urine, plasma, and tap water samples and is thus a promising candidate for early diagnosis of suspect infections in EBOV-stricken areas.