Abstract
Simple, timely, and precise detection of SARS-CoV-2 in clinical samples and contaminated surfaces aids in lowering attendant morbidity/mortality related to this infectious virus. Currently applied diagnostic techniques depend on a timely laboratory report following PCR testing. However, the application of these tests is associated with inherent shortcomings due to the need for trained personnel, long-time centralized laboratories, and expensive instruments. Therefore, there is an interest in developing biosensing diagnostic frontiers that can help in eliminating these shortcomings with a relatively economical, easy-to-use, well-timed, precise and sensitive technology. This study reports the development of fabricated Q-tips designed to qualitatively and semi-quantitatively detect SARS-CoV-2 in clinical samples and contaminated non-absorbable surfaces. This colorimetric sensor is engineered to sandwich SARS-CoV-2 spike protein between the lactoferrin general capturing agent and the complementary ACE2-labeled receptor. The ACE2 receptor is decorated with an orange-colored polymeric nanoparticle to generate an optical visual signal upon pairing with the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. This colorimetric change of the Q-tip testing zone from white to orange confirms a positive result. The visual detection limit of the COVID-19 engineered colorimetric Q-tip sensor was 100 pfu/mL within a relatively short turnaround time of 5 min. The linear working range of quantitation was 10 3 -10 8 pfu/mL. The engineered sensor selectively targeted SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and did not bind to another coronavirus such as MERS-CoV, Flu A, or Flu B present on the contaminated surface. This novel detection tool is relatively cheap to produce and suitable for onsite detection of COVID-19 infection.
Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; low-cost diagnostic assay; onsite detection; rapid biosensors.
【저자키워드】 COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, low-cost diagnostic assay, onsite detection, rapid biosensors., 【초록키워드】 coronavirus, diagnostic, ACE2 receptor, MERS, MERS-CoV, Spike protein, Laboratory, clinical samples, PCR testing, COVID-19 infection, SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, optical, lactoferrin, receptor, Detection limit, Infectious virus, complementary, positive result, contaminated surfaces, help, zone, quantitation, simple, contaminated surface, Laboratory report, clinical sample, detect, generate, linear, applied, inherent, eliminating, the SARS-CoV-2, 【제목키워드】 detection, Rapid, sensitive, SARS-CoV-2 S1,