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Immunochromatographic thread-based test platform for diagnosis of infectious diseases

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Abstract

Patterning is an important step in fabrication of multiplexed microfluidic devices. Various approaches including cutting, photolithography, wax-printing, plotting and etching have been developed and tested. Recently, using threads has emerged as a convenient and low-cost approach for fabrication of microfluidic devices. We explored the application of threads in combination with nitrocellulose membrane to fabricate multi-channel immunochromatographic diagnostic devices. Microfluidic channels were made using hydrophilic threads and nitrocellulose membrane strips. Household sewing needle was used to weave hydrophilic thread into desired patterns through a double-sided mounting tape. Glass fibre discs were used as conjugate pads while nitrocellulose membrane was used for immobilisation of capture antibodies. Patterned threads were linked to nitrocellulose membrane strips by overlapping so that reagents flowing through threads were eventually transferred to the membrane. The design was tested using IgG, H. pylori and Hepatitis B surface antigen. Continuous flow was observed from hydrophilic threads to the nitrocellulose membrane, and a positive signal was visualised on the membrane within 5 min of sample application. The observed limit of detection ranged between 30 and 300 ng/ml for H. pylori and Hepatitis B, respectively. Using thread and tape offers a promising alternative for patterning of simple, low-cost multiplexed microfluidic diagnostic devices with potential point-of-care applications in resource-limited settings.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the technical staff at NM-AIST for their cooperation and support during execution of this work. This work was supported by the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH) through the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Sciences and Technology (NM-AIST) Graduate Scholarship.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Global Health and Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, P.O.Box 447, Arusha, Tanzania

    Misago Seth & Joram Buza

  2. Zonal Veterinary Centre, Central Zone, P.O.Box 1752, Dodoma, Tanzania

    Daniel Mdetele

  3. Laboratory Sciences Department, National Institute for Medical Research, Tanga Centre, P.O.Box 5004, Tanga, Tanzania

    Misago Seth

Authors
  1. Misago Seth
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  2. Daniel Mdetele
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  3. Joram Buza
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Contributions

MS and JB developed the research plan. MS and DM carried out research work with the help of JB. MS interpreted the data and prepared the manuscript. DM and JB edited and reviewed the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Misago Seth.

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Seth, M., Mdetele, D. & Buza, J. Immunochromatographic thread-based test platform for diagnosis of infectious diseases. Microfluid Nanofluid 22, 45 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10404-018-2065-1

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