SERS-based aptasensor for culture-free detection of Escherichia coli in urinary tract infection diagnosis

IF 11 2区材料科学 Q1 MATERIALS SCIENCE, MULTIDISCIPLINARY

Nano Convergence Pub Date : 2025-08-21 DOI:10.1186/s40580-025-00506-0

Kihyun Kim, Sohyun Park, Suyoung Kang, Mi-Kyung Lee, Lingxin Chen, Jaebum Choo

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Abstract

A surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-based aptasensor was developed for the rapid and sensitive detection of Escherichia coli (E. coli), a major pathogen in urinary tract infections (UTIs). The sensor utilizes magnetic beads embedded with gold nanoparticles (MB-AuNPs) functionalized with capture DNA (cDNA) as both the SERS-active substrate and magnetic separation tool. The detection mechanism relies on an aptamer DNA-probe DNA complex: when the aptamer binds specifically to E. coli, the probe DNA is released and subsequently hybridizes with cDNA on the MB-AuNPs. This brings a Cy5 Raman label close to the gold surface, generating a strong SERS signal. The assay offers a one-step process, eliminating the need for bacterial culture or nucleic acid amplification, and completes within approximately 6 h. Quantitative analysis demonstrated a detection limit of 5.9 × 10³ CFU/mL, well below the clinical threshold for UTIs, with a reliable calibration curve (R² = 0.990). Selectivity tests confirmed high specificity for E. coli without cross-reactivity to other bacteria. Clinical evaluation using 21 urine samples showed high diagnostic performance: 100% sensitivity, 91% specificity, 95% accuracy, and 100% precision compared to standard urine culture. These results highlight the aptasensor’s potential as a rapid, sensitive, and specific alternative for UTI diagnosis in clinical settings.

Graphical Abstract

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基于sers的体外培养检测大肠杆菌在尿路感染诊断中的应用

研究了一种基于表面增强拉曼散射（SERS）的适体传感器，用于快速灵敏地检测尿路感染（uti）的主要病原体大肠杆菌（E. coli）。该传感器利用嵌入被捕获DNA功能化的金纳米颗粒（MB-AuNPs）的磁珠作为sers活性底物和磁分离工具。检测机制依赖于适体DNA-探针DNA复合物：当适体特异性结合大肠杆菌时，探针DNA被释放，随后与MB-AuNPs上的cDNA杂交。这使得Cy5拉曼标签靠近金表面，产生强烈的SERS信号。该检测方法一步完成，无需细菌培养或核酸扩增，并在约6小时内完成。定量分析显示，检测限为5.9 × 103 CFU/mL，远低于uti的临床阈值，具有可靠的校准曲线（R2 = 0.990）。选择性试验证实该方法对大肠杆菌具有高特异性，与其他细菌无交叉反应。使用21份尿液样本的临床评估显示出较高的诊断性能：与标准尿液培养相比，灵敏度为100%，特异性为91%，准确度为95%，精密度为100%。这些结果突出了该传感器作为临床诊断尿路感染的快速、敏感和特异性替代方法的潜力。图形抽象

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来源期刊

Nano Convergence Engineering-General Engineering

CiteScore

15.90

自引率

2.60%

发文量

审稿时长

13 weeks

期刊介绍： Nano Convergence is an internationally recognized, peer-reviewed, and interdisciplinary journal designed to foster effective communication among scientists spanning diverse research areas closely aligned with nanoscience and nanotechnology. Dedicated to encouraging the convergence of technologies across the nano- to microscopic scale, the journal aims to unveil novel scientific domains and cultivate fresh research prospects. Operating on a single-blind peer-review system, Nano Convergence ensures transparency in the review process, with reviewers cognizant of authors' names and affiliations while maintaining anonymity in the feedback provided to authors.