Rapid and simultaneous detection of human hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus antibodies based on a protein chip assay using nano-gold immunological amplification and silver staining method.

BACKGROUND: Viral hepatitis due to hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus are major public health problems all over the world. Traditional detection methods including polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assays and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) are expensive and time-consuming. In our assay, a protein chip assay using Nano-gold Immunological Amplification and Silver Staining (NIASS) method was applied to detect HBV and HCV antibodies rapidly and simultaneously. METHODS: Chemically modified glass slides were used as solid supports (named chip), on which several antigens, including HBsAg, HBeAg, HBcAg and HCVAg (a mixture of NS3, NS5 and core antigens) were immobilized respectively. Colloidal nano-gold labelled staphylococcal protein A (SPA) was used as an indicator and immunogold silver staining enhancement technique was applied to amplify the detection signals, producing black image on array spots, which were visible with naked eyes. To determine the detection limit of the protein chip assay, a set of model arrays in which human IgG was spotted were structured and the model arrays were incubated with different concentrations of anti-IgG. A total of 305 serum samples previously characterized with commercial ELISA were divided into 4 groups and tested in this assay. RESULTS: We prepared mono-dispersed, spherical nano-gold particles with an average diameter of 15 +/- 2 nm. Colloidal nano-gold-SPA particles observed by TEM were well-distributed, maintaining uniform and stable. The optimum silver enhancement time ranged from 8 to 12 minutes. In our assay, the protein chips could detect serum antibodies against HBsAg, HBeAg, HBcAg and HCVAg with the absence of the cross reaction. In the model arrays, the anti-IgG as low as 3 ng/ml could be detected. The data for comparing the protein chip assay with ELISA indicated that no distinct difference (P > 0.05) existed between the results determined by our assay and ELISA respectively. CONCLUSION: Results showed that our assay can be applied with serology for the detection of HBV and HCV antibodies rapidly and simultaneously in clinical detection.

Development of array-based technology for detection of HAV using gold-DNA probes.

A sensitive method for detection of Hepatitis A virus (HAV) by utilizing gold-DNA probe on an array was developed. Amino-modified oligodeoxynucleotides at the 5' position were arrayed on an activated glass surface to function as capture probes. Sandwich hybridization occurred among capture probes, the HAV amplicon, and gold nanoparticlesupported oligonucleotide probes. After a silver enhancement step, signals were detected by a standard flatbed scanner or just by naked eyes. As little as 100 fM of HAV amplicon could be detected on the array. Therefore, the array technology is an alternative to be applied in detection of HAV due to its low-cost and high-sensitivity.