Abstract
Diagnostics of SARS-CoV-2 infection using real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) on nasopharyngeal swabs is now well-established, with saliva-based testing being lately more widely implemented for being more adapted for self-testing approaches. In this study, we introduce a different concept based on exhaled breath condensate (EBC), readily collected by a mask-based sampling device, and detection with an electrochemical biosensor with a modular architecture that enables fast and specific detection and quantification of COVID-19. The face mask forms an exhaled breath vapor containment volume to hold the exhaled breath vapor in proximity to the EBC collector to enable a condensate-forming surface, cooled by a thermal mass, to coalesce the exhaled breath into a 200-500 μL fluid sample in 2 min. EBC RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 genes (E, ORF1ab) on samples collected from 7 SARS-CoV-2 positive and 7 SARS-CoV-2 negative patients were performed. The presence of SARS-CoV-2 could be detected in 5 out of 7 SARS-CoV-2 positive patients. Furthermore, the EBC samples were screened on an electrochemical aptamer biosensor, which detects SARS-CoV-2 viral particles down to 10 pfu mL -1 in cultured SARS-CoV-2 suspensions. Using a “turn off” assay via ferrocenemethanol redox mediator, results about the infectivity state of the patient are obtained in 10 min.
Keywords: Aptamers; Detection; Electrochemistry; Exhaled breath condensate (EBC); Real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR); SARS-CoV-2.
【저자키워드】 SARS-CoV-2, detection, Aptamers, Electrochemistry, Exhaled breath condensate (EBC), Real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), 【초록키워드】 COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, SARS-COV-2 infection, RT-PCR, Nasopharyngeal swab, polymerase chain reaction, nasopharyngeal swabs, breath, Patient, quantification, Electrochemistry, Face mask, Viral particles, ORF1ab, Chain Reaction, mediator, Volume, approaches, SARS-CoV-2 genes, suspensions, positive, SARS-CoV-2 positive patients, SARS-CoV-2 viral particles, polymerase chain, performed, detect, collected, the patient, form, screened, pfu, SARS-CoV-2 gene, SARS-CoV-2 viral particle, 【제목키워드】 diagnostic, point-of-care, platform,