Multiplex quantitative detection of SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG and IgM antibodies based on DNA-assisted nanopore sensing.

Abstract

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread into a global pandemic. Early and accurate diagnosis and quarantine remain the most effective mitigation strategy. Although reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) is the gold standard for COVID-19 diagnosis, recent studies suggest that nucleic acids were undetectable in a significant number of cases with clinical features of COVID-19. Serologic assays that detect human antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 serve as a complementary method to diagnose these cases, as well as to identify asymptomatic cases and qualified convalescent serum donors. However, commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) are laborious and non-quantitative, while point-of-care assays suffer from low detection accuracy. To provide a serologic assay with high performance and portability for potential point-of-care applications, we developed DNA-assisted nanopore sensing for quantification of SARS-CoV-2 related antibodies in human serum. Different DNA structures were used as detection reporters for multiplex quantification of immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against the nucleocapsid protein of SARS-CoV-2 in serum specimens from patients with conformed or suspected infection. Comparing to a clinically used point-of-care assay and an ELISA assay, our technology can reliably quantify SARS-CoV-2 antibodies with higher accuracy, large dynamic range, and potential for assay automation.

• Authors: Zehui Zhang, Xiaoqin Wang, Xiaojun Wei, Sophia W Zheng, Brian J Lenhart, Peisheng Xu, Jie Li, Jing Pan, Helmut Albrecht, Chang Liu
• Journal: Biosensors & bioelectronics (Biosens Bioelectron) Vol. 181 Pg. 113134 (Jun 01 2021) ISSN: 1873-4235 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 33761415 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Viral
• Immunoglobulin G
• Immunoglobulin M
• DNA

Topics

• Antibodies, Viral (analysis)
• Biosensing Techniques
• COVID-19 (diagnosis)
• COVID-19 Testing (methods)
• DNA
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
• Humans
• Immunoglobulin G (analysis)
• Immunoglobulin M (analysis)
• Nanopores
• SARS-CoV-2
• Sensitivity and Specificity