Selective mycobacterial capture with ultraviolet-polymerized poly-dimethyldiallyl chloride functionalized surfaces

• Published in: Journal of materials science. Materials in medicine Vol. 35; no. 1; pp. 57 - 10
• Main Authors: Jiang, Xuesong, Mathekga, Bonolo S. P., Singh, Digvijay, Coon, Devin, Sinha, Anjana, Armstrong, Derek, Acharya, Soumyadipta, Mao, Hai-Quan, Manabe, Yukari C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 30.09.2024; Springer Nature B.V; Springer
• Subjects: Bacteria; Biomaterials; Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering; Ceramics; Chemistry and Materials Science; Chloride; Chlorides; Composites; COVID-19; COVID-19 - diagnosis; Diagnostic systems; Engineering and Nano-engineering Approaches for Medical Devices; Fluorescence; Glass; HIV; Human immunodeficiency virus; Humans; Instrumentation; Materials Science; Microscopy; Mycobacterium tuberculosis - isolation & purification; Natural Materials; Photopolymerization; Polyethylenes - chemistry; Polymer Sciences; Polymerization; Polymers; Polymers - chemistry; Polystyrene; Polystyrene resins; Polystyrenes - chemistry; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds - chemistry; Regenerative Medicine/Tissue Engineering; SARS-CoV-2; Sensitivity analysis; Sputum; Sputum - microbiology; Surface Properties; Surfaces and Interfaces; Thin Films; Tuberculosis; Tuberculosis - diagnosis; Ultraviolet Rays
• ISSN: 1573-4838; 0957-4530; 1573-4838
• DOI: 10.1007/s10856-024-06829-4

Tuberculosis (TB) is the top cause of death from a single infectious pathogen after COVID-19. Despite molecular diagnostic advances, two-thirds of the 10 million annual TB cases are still diagnosed using direct smear microscopy which has ~50% sensitivity. To increase the analytical performance of smear microscopy, we developed and characterized a novel polymer (Polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride [PDADMAC]) engraftment on inexpensive polystyrene (PS) specifically functionalized for mycobacterial capture. Engraftment is achieved via UV photopolymerization of DADMAC monomer on plasma-activated PS. The platform was tested on sputum from presumptive TB cases in Kampala, Uganda ( n  = 50), with an increased overall sensitivity of 81.8% (27/33) vs. fluorescent smear microscopy 57% (19/33) compared to a molecular (Cepheid GeneXpert MTB/RIF) gold standard. Frugal smear diagnostic innovation that is rapid and does not require dedicated instrumentation may offer an important solution to bridge the TB diagnostic gap. Graphical Abstract