Rapid naked-eye detection of Gram-positive bacteria by vancomycin-based nano-aggregation. Issue 44 (12th July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shin, Cheong; Lee, Ha Neul; Ryu, Jea Sung; Chung, Hyun Jung
• Is Part Of: RSC advances. Volume 8:Issue 44(2018)
• Page Start: 25094
• Page End: 25103
• Publication Date: 2018-07-12
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.1039/c8ra03540g
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2046-2069

Abstract

Abstract : A rapid, colorimetric assay based on aggregation of nanobeads functionalized with vancomycin is developed for naked-eye detection of Gram-positive bacteria. Abstract : Development of a rapid, point-of-care assay for diagnosing bacterial infections is crucial for subsequent treatment of the patient and preventing the overuse of antibiotics. Herein, we describe a rapid, one-step colorimetric assay based on the formation of nano-aggregates using nanobeads targeting Gram-positive bacteria. Vancomycin was immobilized onto blue-colored polymeric nanobeads to induce specific and multivalent binding with the Gram-positive bacterial cell wall and subsequent agglomeration. Without any pre-processing steps, the addition of various types of Gram-positive pathogens to the nanobeads resulted in the formation of blue precipitates, which could be observed with the naked eye in ∼30 min. We also utilized a porous filter system for the assay, which allowed discrimination of Gram-positive targets with higher selectivity, and demonstrated feasibility as a simple diagnostic assay with minimal technical components. We anticipate that the nanobead aggregation assay can be potentially applied as a rapid and simple sensing platform, which can be easily miniaturized and enable point-of-care diagnosis of Gram-positive infections.