Highly sensitive and specific electrochemical biosensor for direct detection of hepatitis C virus RNA in clinical samples using DNA strand displacement
Issued Date
2024-10-11
Resource Type
eISSN
20452322
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85206123357
Pubmed ID
39394401
Journal Title
Scientific reports
Volume
14
Issue
1
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Scientific reports Vol.14 No.1 (2024) , 23792
Suggested Citation
Chaibun T., Karunaithas S., Ngamdee T., Wasitthankasem R., Lapchai S., Poovorawan Y., Yin L.S., Lertanantawong B. Highly sensitive and specific electrochemical biosensor for direct detection of hepatitis C virus RNA in clinical samples using DNA strand displacement. Scientific reports Vol.14 No.1 (2024) , 23792. doi:10.1038/s41598-024-74454-w Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/101651
Title
Highly sensitive and specific electrochemical biosensor for direct detection of hepatitis C virus RNA in clinical samples using DNA strand displacement
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a common blood-borne infection that can lead to long-term illnesses such as hepatocellular cancer and liver cirrhosis. Early diagnosis is crucial for effective management, as no vaccine is available for preventing HCV infection. However, the high cost and complexity of current molecular diagnostic tools hinder efforts to achieve early diagnosis and prevent transmission, particularly in resource-limited settings. We developed a novel electrochemical biosensor for point-of-care testing (POCT) of HCV RNA. The sensor utilizes a strand displacement method, where the target RNA displaces a gold nanoparticle-labeled reporter probe (AuRP) from a pre-hybridized duplex with a magnetic nanoparticle (MNP)-labeled capture probe. The amount of displaced AuRP, detected using differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV), is directly proportional to the target RNA concentration. The biosensor exhibited excellent analytical performance, with a detection limit of 4 fM for synthetic targets and 43 ng/µL for RT-PCR products. Importantly, it successfully detected HCV RNA directly in clinical plasma samples without the need for RNA extraction or amplification. The sensor was used to analyze 30 RNA samples from HCV-positive patients, 20 cDNA samples from viral RNA, 30 HCV-positive plasma samples, and 22 HCV-negative plasma samples. The sensor results show good concordance with the RT-PCR results, demonstrating the sensor's potential for detecting HCV in clinical samples.