A homogeneous nucleic acid assay for simultaneous detection of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A (H3N2) by single-particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Abstract

In recent years, single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SP-ICP-MS) has become a powerful tool for biological quantitative analysis. Homogeneous analysis method requires no separation and washing steps, which is suited for the analysis of highly infectious pathogens, so as to reduce the risk of infection during the operation. SARS-CoV-2 spreads all over the world, and its early infection symptoms are similar to influenza, which brings inconvenience to triage. Therefore, developing novel analytical method for simultaneous detection of multiple viral nucleic acids is essential. Taking the advantages of SP-ICP-MS and homogeneous analysis strategy, a SP-ICP-MS homogeneous nucleic acid assay by using gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) and silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) probes was established for simultaneous sensitive analysis of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A (H3N2). In the present of target SARS-CoV-2 or H3N2 nucleic acids, corresponding Au NPs or Ag NPs probes form larger aggregates, resulting in increased pulse signal intensity and reduced pulse signal frequency of the corresponding NPs in SP-ICP-MS measurement. In this assay, the reaction system of Au NPs and Ag NPs probes does not interfere with each other, and there was no separation and washing procedure, which facilitates operation, saves the analysis time, and improves the analysis efficiency. The linear range of this method is 5-1000 pmol L -1 , with low-level limits of quantification of target nucleic acid. The developed SP-ICP-MS simultaneous homogeneous detection method has a good potential for detecting nucleic acid, protein, cell and other biological samples by changing different modification sequences on the NPs probes.

Living in a transient world: ICP-MS reinvented via time-resolved analysis for monitoring single events

“…This is, however, so far a theoretical proposal only, the realization of which would require instrumentation with high-mass resolution and simultaneous multi-element detection, besides other modifications to reduce the BG signal of the most abundant elements (e.g., placing the torch in an Ar atmosphere, instead of operating under atmospheric conditions). 158 A timely and alternative approach for the simultaneous detection of both SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A, has been reported by Xu et al 159 The method is based on the addition of AuNPs and AgNPs, which, in the presence of SARS-CoV-2 (in the case of Au) or influenza A (in the case of Ag), form larger aggregates that can be monitored using SP-ICP-MS. There are no mutual interferences, so both viruses can be detected simultaneously.…”

“…A timely and alternative approach for the simultaneous detection of both SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A, has been reported by Xu et al 159 The method is based on the addition of AuNPs and AgNPs, which, in the presence of SARS-CoV-2 (in the case of Au) or influenza A (in the case of Ag), form larger aggregates that can be monitored using SP-ICP-MS. There are no mutual interferences, so both viruses can be detected simultaneously.…”

AuNP-based biosensors for the diagnosis of pathogenic human coronaviruses: COVID-19 pandemic developments

“…The specific binding of the S antigen to the antibody resulted in an increase of bioconjugate size, with a LOD 5.29 × 10 3 TCID 50 mL −1 (tissue culture infectious dose). In another attempt, Xu and co-workers [ 99 ] reported a single-particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SP-ICP-MS)–based biosensor for the SARS-CoV-2 detection. The single-particle (SP)-ICP-MS is a special ICP-MS detection strategy.…”

Facets of ICP-MS and their potential in the medical sciences—Part 2: nanomedicine, immunochemistry, mass cytometry, and bioassays

“…Recently, Xu et al developed a homogeneous assay to detect the nucleic acids of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A. They functionalised Au and Ag NPs that aggregated in the presence of the respective viral nucleic acid, which could be observed in SP ICP-MS via the NP count and signal intensity [ 160 ].

Fig.

…”