Detecting and discriminating pyrethroids with chemiresistor sensors

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. 553
Author(s):  
James S. Cooper ◽  
Lee J. Hubble ◽  
Edith Chow ◽  
Andrea Sosa-Pintos ◽  
Nereus Patel ◽  
...  

Environmental contextRegular insecticide treatments on the interior of aircraft impedes the spread of mosquitos and other pests internationally, but border protection agencies lack effective tools to ensure airlines have complied. We report the first use of chemiresistor sensors to detect and identify insecticide residue on an interior aircraft surface. The method could be developed into a tool that helps lower the risk of vector-borne diseases like malaria entering international ports. AbstractAustralia and other island nations are protected from stowaway pest vectors, like mosquitos, by aircraft disinsection – spraying the airplane interior with an insecticide. It is a simple biosecurity measure that can reduce the spread of malaria, Zika and other mosquito-borne diseases. However, checking airline compliance and the efficacy of the insecticide residue is a difficult task for border protection officials, which requires either a live fly bioassay or off-site laboratory testing. Neither of these methods are ideal for the hectic schedules of airlines. As such, we propose using gold nanoparticle chemiresistor sensor arrays, to detect and identify insecticide residue on the interior surface of aircraft. We have shown that hexanethiol functionalised sensors have a limit of detection of 3 parts per billion (ppb) for permethrin in solution and have a broad dynamic range responding to concentrations up to 1000 ppb. The chemical residues of three different insecticide products were lifted off an interior aircraft surface and identified with an array of seven uniquely functionalised sensors. This is the first ever demonstration of gold nanoparticle chemiresistor sensors being used for the analysis of chemical residues. These sensors have the potential to rapidly check the efficacy of insecticide residues on aircraft surfaces.

NANO ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (01) ◽  
pp. 1850001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yongfeng Gao ◽  
Yuanhui Feng ◽  
Lu Zhou ◽  
Lucia Petti ◽  
Zhe Wang ◽  
...  

Ultrasensitive detection of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is critical for the early diagnosis of liver cancer. In this work, a novel surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-based immunoassay complex has been successfully developed for the detection of AFP by using the Au-Ag alloy nanoparticals and the Ag/AgBr hybrid nanostructure. As the typical bimetal or metal/semiconductor plasmonic materials, besides the strong SERS enhancement characteristics, the Au-Ag alloy nanoparticals exhibit excellent monodispersity and the Ag/AgBr hybrid nanostructure demonstrates good stability. The experimental results show that the SERS-based immunoassay of AFP presents a low limit of detection of 1.86[Formula: see text]fg/mL and a broad dynamic range from 2[Formula: see text]fg/mL to 0.8[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]g/mL. Furthermore, the clinical applicability of the proposed SERS-based immunoassay has been assessed by the detection of AFP in the human serum samples of cancer patient and healthy person. The test data are consistent well with that of chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) in the relative errors of [Formula: see text]8.82–8.06% and show better detection sensitivity. It reveals that the proposed immunoassay protocol is significant for giving insight into the design of ultrasensitive biosensor and the point-of-care testing of cancers.


2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Akrahm M. Saleh Habil ◽  
Hairul Aini Hamzah ◽  
Muhammad Imad Al-Deen Mustafa ◽  
Norlelawati A. Talib ◽  
Siti Nurul Fazlin Abdul Rahman

Introduction: Rapid quantification of hepatitis C virus is helpful in determining and monitoring of the disease progression and nature of the virus replication. The aim of the present study was to establish a fast, specific and sensitive tool for HCVRNA quantification. Materials and Methods: A total of 50 serum samples, comprising of 40 HCV-positive and 10 HCV-negative, were included in our study. RNA was extracted, reverse transcribed, and then subjected to real-time PCR amplification. Real-time PCR using EvaGreen dye and primers targeting a 5’UTR was carried out. Reference samples with known viral load were treated similarly to the unknown samples and used to create the standard curves. Results: Our method showed a high level of analytical specificity and accuracy, with a low limit of detection (~2 IU/ml). It yielded repeatable results with less than 4% of intra- assay variation. The assay covered a broad dynamic range of quantification, ranging from 0.34 to 6 log IU/ml. The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were all 100%, indicating neither false positive nor false negative results were obtained. Conclusion: The developed real time PCR using EvaGreen dye has demonstrated a highly analytical and diagnostic performance for HCV quantification, suggesting its potential in clinical diagnosis and management.


2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 192-194
Author(s):  
John (Luke) Lucas

The author considers the threat to vector-borne diseases in the light of climate change.


2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-88
Author(s):  
Fedor I. Vasilevich ◽  
Anna M. Nikanorova

The purpose of the research is development of preventive measures against zooanthroponoze vector-borne diseases spread by parasitic arthropods in the Kaluga Region. Materials and methods. The subject of the research was Ixodidae, mosquitoes, and small mammals inhabiting the Kaluga Region. The census of parasitic arthropods was carried out on the territory of all districts of the Kaluga Region and the city of Kaluga. Open natural habitat and human settlements were investigated. Weather conditions from 2013 to 2018 were also taken into account. For the purposes of the study, we used standard methods for capturing and counting arthropods and mouse-like rodents. In order to obtain mathematical models of small mammal populations, a full factorial experiment was conducted using the collected statistical data. In-process testing of the drug based on s-fenvalerate and piperonyl butoxide were carried out under the conditions of the agricultural collective farm “Niva” of the Kozelsky District, the Kaluga Region, and LLC “Angus Center of Genetics” of the Babyninsky District, the Kaluga Region. Results and discussion. In the Kaluga Region, two species of ixodic ticks are found, namely, Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus, which have two activity peaks. Mosquito may have 3-4 generations in a year in the Kaluga region. The most common mosquito species in the Kaluga Region are Aedes communis, Ae. (Och.) togoi and Ae. (Och.) diantaeus, Culex pipiens Culex Linnaeus, 1758 (Diptera, Culicidae) (Culex pipiens): Cx. pipiens f. pipiens L. (non-autogenic form) and Cx. p. f. molestus Fors. (autogenic form), which interbreed, and reproductively isolated in the Region. The developed mathematical models make it possible to quantify the risks of outbreaks of zooanthroponoze vector-borne diseases without the cost of field research, and allow for rational, timely and effective preventive measures. Medications based on s-fenvalerate and piperonyl butoxide and based on cyfluthrin showed high insecto-acaricidal efficacy and safety.


2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (16) ◽  
pp. 2974-2986 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kwang-sun Kim

Vectors are living organisms that transmit infectious diseases from an infected animal to humans or another animal. Biological vectors such as mosquitoes, ticks, and sand flies carry pathogens that multiply within their bodies prior to delivery to a new host. The increased prevalence of Vector-Borne Diseases (VBDs) such as Aedes-borne dengue, Chikungunya (CHIKV), Zika (ZIKV), malaria, Tick-Borne Disease (TBD), and scrub typhus has a huge impact on the health of both humans and livestock worldwide. In particular, zoonotic diseases transmitted by mosquitoes and ticks place a considerable burden on public health. Vaccines, drugs, and vector control methods have been developed to prevent and treat VBDs and have prevented millions of deaths. However, development of such strategies is falling behind the rapid emergence of VBDs. Therefore, a comprehensive approach to fighting VBDs must be considered immediately. In this review, I focus on the challenges posed by emerging outbreaks of VBDs and discuss available drugs and vaccines designed to overcome this burden. Research into promising drugs needs to be upgraded and fast-tracked, and novel drugs or vaccines being tested in in vitro and in vivo models need to be moved into human clinical trials. Active preventive tactics, as well as new and upgraded diagnostics, surveillance, treatments, and vaccination strategies, need to be monitored constantly if we are to manage VBDs of medical importance.


2020 ◽  
Vol 154 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S92-S92
Author(s):  
M S Shapiro ◽  
X Wang ◽  
D R Mendu ◽  
A Firpo

Abstract Introduction/Objective Mount Sinai Hospital has received emergency use authorization (EUA) from the FDA for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) antibody testing using ELISA. This serological assay detects and titrates the presence of circulating antibodies to COVID-19. Other platforms have aimed to achieve the credentials of the ELISA instrument, including the multiplex assays of Luminex. The platform is known to have a greater throughput (384 wells vs. 96 wells per microplate) and faster processing speed (8 hours vs. 17 hours). Methods Luminex utilizes beads that couple to the same COVID-19 antigens (mRBD and mSpike) which were utilized for the ELISA assay. The beads are read determining the mean fluorescence intensity (MFI). In order to compare the two methods, our study included 61 patients with COVID-19 at Mount Sinai Hospital, to screen and titrate their sera using Luminex, and to correspond the MFI values with the ELISA titers. Results The Luminex assay has achieved the same level of confidence as ELISA. The 61 patients, representing 30 negatives and 31 positives, are consistently identified as such on both platforms. Our data highlights 32% of patients with a low titer (<1:160), 42% of patients with a high titer (1:160 ~ 1:320), and 26% of patients with a very high titer level (>1:320). These titers correlated well with the MFI values. Based on a cutoff of 80,000 MFI, the sensitivity and specificity of the assay is 98% and 85%, respectively, with no overlapping of MFI between positive and negative results. Conclusion Overall, the study has demonstrated that the Luminex is a strong alternative for the ELISA platform. The Luminex highlights the broad dynamic range with no overlapping between positives and negatives. Migration from ELISA to Luminex, a platform with faster and greater throughput, is therefore, highly desirable.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Mafalda Dordio ◽  
Relja Beck ◽  
Telmo Nunes ◽  
Isabel Pereira da Fonseca ◽  
Jacinto Gomes

Abstract Background Canine vector-borne diseases (CVBDs) are caused by a wide range of pathogens transmitted by arthropods. They have been an issue of growing importance in recent years; however, there is limited information about the vector-borne pathogens circulating in Portugal. The aim of the present study was to detect canine vector-borne bacteria and protozoa of veterinary and zoonotic importance using molecular methods. Methods One hundred and forty-two dogs from Lisbon, southern Portugal, were tested: 48 dogs from a veterinary hospital clinically suspected of vector-borne diseases and 94 apparently healthy dogs from shelters. Anaplasma spp./Ehrlichia spp., Babesia/Theileria spp., Hepatozoon spp., and Mycoplasma spp. infections were detected by PCR from blood samples and examined under light microscopy. Other information including clinical status and diagnostic test results were collected for each animal. Results Infections were detected by PCR in 48 (33.80%) dogs. Single infections were found in 35 dogs (24.64%), and co-infections were found in 13 (9.15%) dogs. Twenty-nine (20.42%) dogs were positive for Hepatozoon spp., 15 (10.56%) for Mycoplasma spp., 11 (7.75%) for Anaplasma spp./Ehrlichia spp., and six (4.21%) for Babesia spp. DNA sequencing was used to identify Babesia vogeli (2.81%), Babesia canis (1.40%), Hepatozoon canis (20.42%), Mycoplasma haematoparvum (2.11%), Mycoplasma haemocanis (8.45%), Anaplasma platys (7.04%), and Ehrlichia canis (0.70%). Conclusions This is the first molecular identification of B. canis and M. haematoparvum in dogs from southern Portugal. This study highlights the importance of molecular methods to identify CVBD pathogens in endemic areas and helps to guide the clinical approach of veterinarians in practice.


Author(s):  
Jairo Alfonso Mendoza-Roldan ◽  
Miguel Angel Mendoza-Roldan ◽  
Domenico Otranto

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