An electrochemical immunosensor for efficient detection of uropathogenic E. coli based on thionine dye immobilized chitosan/functionalized-MWCNT modified electrode

Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is the major cause of 150 million Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) reported annually world-wide. High prevalence of multi-drug-resistance makes it dangerous and difficult to cure. Therefore simple, quick and early diagnostic tools are essential for effective treatment and control. We report an electrochemical immunosensor based on thionine dye (Th) immobilized on functionalized-multiwalled carbon nanotube+chitosan composite coated on glassy carbon electrode (GCE/f-MWCNT-Chit@Th) for quick and sensitive detection of UPEC in aqueous solution. This immunosensor was constructed by sequential immobilization of UPEC, bovine serum albumin, primary antibody and Horse Radish Peroxidase (HRP) tagged secondary antibody on the surface of GCE/f-MWCNT-Chit@Th. When analyzed using 2.5 mM of hydrogen peroxide reduction reaction using cyclic voltammetry in phosphate buffer, pH 7.0, the immunosensor showed excellent linearity in a range of 102−109 cfu of UPEC mL−1 with a current sensitivity of 7.162 μA {log(cfu mL−1)}−1. The specificity of this immunosensor was tested using other UTI and non-UTI bacteria, Staphylococcus, Klebsiella, Proteus and Shigella. The clinical applicability of the immunosensor was also successfully tested directly in UPEC spiked urine samples (simulated sample).

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