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Serological Diagnosis of Mycoplasma via Lipoprotein Specific Electrochemical Biosensor
Author(s) -
Jacobs Jena,
Bonham Andrew J
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.31.1_supplement.767.10
Subject(s) - mycoplasma genitalium , serology , mycoplasma , mycoplasma pneumonia , microbiology and biotechnology , mycoplasma gallisepticum , virology , biosensor , legionella , medicine , biology , mycoplasma pneumoniae , immunology , pneumonia , antibody , bacteria , genetics , biochemistry , chlamydia trachomatis
We have developed a novel electrochemical biosensor capable of detecting pathogenic Mycoplasma for use in academic, research, and clinical applications. Mycoplasma presents key health concerns; Mycoplasma pneumonia infects 2 million people every year, it is responsible for upper respiratory infections and “walking pneumonia”, while Mycoplasma genitalium, is responsible for a large amount of nongonococcal urethritis cases. Current methods of detecting such Mycoplasma strains, such as molecular‐based assays, PCR and immunological serological analysis, are time consuming, expensive, and minimally accurate. Improved serological analysis would be beneficial as effective serological analysis is not readily available in the United States and current analysis internationally only measures the host immune response and not the direct presence of the microorganism, which can produces false negative results. Here, we offer one solution to this challenge through means of direct detection of the Mycoplasma microorganism with a diagnostic electrochemical biosensor directed against a secreted 48 kDa lipoprotein, P48, which is common across many strains. Our aptamer‐based electrochemical DNA biosensor has been characterized and exhibits high specificity and sensitivity for P48 in human serum. This biosensor will allow us to potentially improve both prevention and diagnosis of Mycoplasma in patients who present a proposed infection. Support or Funding Information Support for this work comes from the Metropolitan State University of Denver Provost's and LAS Dean's offices.