Ultrafast Determination of Antimicrobial Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Specifically Captured by Functionalized Magnetic Nanoclusters

Novel High-Throughput Electrochemical Detection of Staphylococcus Aureus, Bacillus Cereus, or Micrococcus Luteus Using AuNPs@Ti3C2Tz Functionalized with Sandwich Peptides

Affinity-based electrochemical biosensors hold promise for detecting pathogenic bacteria in environmental applications. This study focuses on detecting gram-positive bacteria, which can cause fatal infections and are a major global mortality factor. An electrochemical biosensor platform using high-throughput 16-channel gold disk electrodes (16-GDEs) inspired by bio-microelectromechanical systems (BioMEMS) is developed, it incorporates a nanocomposite (AuNPs@Ti3C2Tz) with sandwich peptide structures to enhance electroconductivity and biological antifouling. Using AuNPs@Ti3C2Tz-coated 16-GDEs, sensitive biosensors for gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, or Micrococcus luteus) are constructed and validated in fresh-water samples by spiking with bacteria, which showed linear correlations between normalized peak current and logarithmic concentrations of the target bacteria (adjusted R-square ≥ 0.93). A single high-throughput platform containing biosensors for S. aureus, M. luteus, or B. cereus is also developed, exhibiting specific responses without any cross-reactivity in real samples. This platform enabled sensitive simultaneous detection of multiple analytes in environmental samples (500 CFU mL⁻¹) and can be applied to detect any target analyte with a suitable peptide pair. The strategy is to implement a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) adaptive sensing device to successfully detect gram-positive bacteria. The nanocomposite-enabled electrochemical biosensor platform on 16-GDEs offers a valuable tool for environmental and clinical diagnostics.

Surface Modification of Magnetite with Carboxyl Arylated Gold Nanoparticles for Capture and Removal of Bacteria

This study presents a novel synthesis method for fabricating magnetic-plasmonic Fe3O4@CS-AuNPs nanocomposite utilizing aryldiazonium gold(III) salts. The low reduction potential of aryldiazonium gold salts enables their spontaneous reduction on the surface of Fe3O4 NPs stabilized with chitosan (CS), as CS facilitates the electron transfer process. The Fe3O4@CS-AuNPs nanocomposite exhibited gold plasmon peaks at 525 nm in UV-vis spectra and demonstrated long shelf life in an aqueous solution, with a ζ-potential of -42.8 mV. XPS revealed the complete reduction of gold(III) supported by the Au 4f peak for Fe3O4@CS-AuNPs. The increased Fe(II) ratio in XPS suggests a green reduction, where chitosan reduced Au(III) to Au(0). HR-TEM images demonstrated that Fe3O4@CS-AuNPs have an average nanoparticle size of 17.0 ± 3.8 nm. The high surface area of 55.15 m2/g for Fe3O4@CS-AuNPs supports their enhanced adsorption and removal of E. coli bacteria. Fe3O4@CS-AuNPs exhibited superior removal efficiencies of 100%, 99%, and 97%, outperforming Fe3O4@CS bacteria removal of 3%, 21%, and 40%. Surface modification with arylated AuNPs enhanced the adsorption and bacterial binding, enabling Fe3O4@CS-AuNPs to demonstrate high capture efficiency and bactericidal activity, eliminating viable bacteria at a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 50%. These findings highlight the potential of Fe3O4@CS-AuNPs for enhanced microbial removal.

Impedimetric Gram-Positive Bacteria Biosensor Using Vancomycin-Coated Silica Nanoparticles with a Gold Nanocluster-Deposited Electrode

We introduce a swift, label-free electrochemical biosensor designed for the precise on-site detection of Gram-positive bacteria via electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The biosensor was prepared by electroplating the electrode surface with gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) on the gold-interdigitated wave-shaped electrode with a printed circuit board (Au-PCB) electrode, which plays a role in cost-effective and promising lab-on-a-chip microsystems and integrated biosensing systems. This was followed by the application of silica nanoparticle-modified vancomycin (SiNPs-VAN) that binds to Gram-positive bacteria and facilitates their detection on the AuNC-coated surface. The biosensor demonstrated remarkable sensitivity and specificity. It could detect as few as 102 colony-forming units (CFU)/mL of Staphylococcus aureus, 101 CFU/mL of Bacillus cereus, and 102 CFU/mL of Micrococcus luteus within 20 min. Additionally, SiNPs-VAN is also known for its high stability, low cost, and ease of preparation. It is effective in identifying Gram-positive bacteria in water samples across a concentration range of 102-105 CFU/mL and shows selective identification of Gram-positive bacteria with minimal interference from Gram-negative bacteria like Escherichia coli. The ability of the biosensor to quantify Gram-positive bacteria aligns well with the results obtained from the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). These findings highlight the potential of electrochemical biosensors for the detection of pathogens and other biological entities, marking a significant advancement in this field.

Applications of peptides in nanosystems for diagnosing and managing bacterial sepsis

Sepsis represents a critical medical condition stemming from an imbalanced host immune response to infections, which is linked to a significant burden of disease. Despite substantial efforts in laboratory and clinical research, sepsis remains a prominent contributor to mortality worldwide. Nanotechnology presents innovative opportunities for the advancement of sepsis diagnosis and treatment. Due to their unique properties, including diversity, ease of synthesis, biocompatibility, high specificity, and excellent pharmacological efficacy, peptides hold great potential as part of nanotechnology approaches against sepsis. Herein, we present a comprehensive and up-to-date review of the applications of peptides in nanosystems for combating sepsis, with the potential to expedite diagnosis and enhance management outcomes. Firstly, sepsis pathophysiology, antisepsis drug targets, current modalities in management and diagnosis with their limitations, and the potential of peptides to advance the diagnosis and management of sepsis have been adequately addressed. The applications have been organized into diagnostic or managing applications, with the last one being further sub-organized into nano-delivered bioactive peptides with antimicrobial or anti-inflammatory activity, peptides as targeting moieties on the surface of nanosystems against sepsis, and peptides as nanocarriers for antisepsis agents. The studies have been grouped thematically and discussed, emphasizing the constructed nanosystem, physicochemical properties, and peptide-imparted enhancement in diagnostic and therapeutic efficacy. The strengths, limitations, and research gaps in each section have been elaborated. Finally, current challenges and potential future paths to enhance the use of peptides in nanosystems for combating sepsis have been deliberately spotlighted. This review reaffirms peptides' potential as promising biomaterials within nanotechnology strategies aimed at improving sepsis diagnosis and management.

"Five birds one stone" tri-modal monitoring driven lab-on-magnetic aptasensor for accurate pathogen detection and enhanced germicidal application

The effective combination of ultra-precise detection and on-demand sterilization stands out as one of the most valuable antifouling methods to combat pathogenic bacteria source and ensure the environment and food safety. Herein, an innovative "five birds one stone" aptasensor has been reported. It integrates magnetic separation, tri-modal precision detection, and efficient sterilization for monitoring of Staphylococcus aureus. Firstly, as a switch of the aptasensor, aptamer-modified potassium chloride-doped carbon dots (apt/KCl@CDs) could be adsorbed onto the surface of magnetic multi-walled carbon nanotube composites (M-MWCNTs) through π-π stacking, which could be replaced by the specific binding of the target bacteria to the aptamer. The mutual interference between the nanomaterials could be eliminated by this reverse magnetosorption strategy, enhancing the test sensitivity. In addition to the fluorescence properties, the peroxidase activity possessed by apt/KCl@CDs enables the conversion of the (3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine) TMB-H2O2 colorimetric system to a photothermal modal. Then, the ultra-precision detection in the assay was achieved by the fluorescence-colorimetric-photothermal tri-modal sensing from the formation of S. aureus-apt/KCl@CDs in the supernatant. Besides, the efficient sterilization could be ensured by adsorbing the apt/KCl@CDs on the surface of S. aureus, generating toxic •OH for direct attacking cells. This was the first report that was more beneficial for bacterial eradication. The detection limits of fluorescence, colorimetric and photothermal modals were 4.81 cfu/mL, 3.40 cfu/mL and 6.74 cfu/mL, respectively. The magnetic nanoplatform integrating tri-modal detection-sterilization meets the demand for highly sensitive and precise detection in different scenarios, providing immediate control for pathogens and broad application prospects.

A rapid and specific antimicrobial resistance detection of Escherichia coli via magnetic nanoclusters

Drinking water contamination, often caused by bacteria, leads to substantial numbers of diarrhea deaths each year, especially in developing regions. Human urine as a source of fertilizer, when handled improperly, can contaminate drinking water. One dominant bacterial pathogen in urine is Escherichia coli, which can trigger serious waterborne/foodborne diseases. Considering the prevalence of the multi-drug resistant extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing E. coli, a rapid detection method for resistance is highly desired. In this work, we developed a method for quick identification of E. coli and, at the same time, capable of removal of general bacterial pathogens from human urine. A specific peptide GRHIFWRRGGGHKVAPR, reported to have a strong affinity to E. coli, was utilized to modify the PEGylated magnetic nanoclusters, resulting in a specific capture and enrichment of E. coli from the bacteria-spiked artificial urine. Subsequently, a novel luminescent probe was applied to rapidly identify the antimicrobial resistance of the collected E. coli within 30 min. These functionalized magnetic nanoclusters demonstrate a promising prospect to rapidly detect ESBL E. coli in urine and contribute to reducing drinking water contamination.

Specific capture of Pseudomonas aeruginosa for rapid detection of antimicrobial resistance in urinary tract infections

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most predominant microbial diseases, leading to substantial healthcare burdens and threatening human well-being. UTIs can become more critical when caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, particularly by antimicrobial-resistant types. Thereby a rapid diagnosis and identification of the antimicrobial-resistant P. aeruginosa can support and guide an efficient medication and an effective treatment toward UTIs. Herein, we designed a platform for prompt purification, and effective identification of P. aeruginosa to combat the notorious P. aeruginosa associated UTIs. A peptide (QRKLAAKLT), specifically binding to P. aeruginosa, was grafted onto PEGylated magnetic nanoclusters and enabled a successful capture and enrichment of P. aeruginosa from artificial human urine. Rapid identification of antimicrobial resistance of the enriched P. aeruginosa can be moreover accomplished within 30 min. These functionalized magnetic nanoclusters demonstrate a prominent diagnostic potential to combat P. aeruginosa associated UTIs, which can be extended to other P. aeruginosa involved infections.