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Highly Specific Electrochemical Sensing of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Patients Suffering from Corneal Ulcers: A Comparative Study

Research Authors
Marwa M. Khalifa, Amal A. Elkhawaga, Mona A. Hassan, Asmaa M. Zahran, Ahmed M. Fathalla, Waleed A. El-Said & Omnia El-Badawy
Research Journal
Scientific Reports
Research Publisher
NULL
Research Rank
1
Research Vol
Vol. 9, 18320
Research Website
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-54667-0
Research Year
2019
Research Member
Research Abstract

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most common pathogenic gram-negative bacteria causing corneal ulcers globally. In severe cases, often after trauma and eye injury, corneal destruction progresses rapidly and may be completed within 24–48 h causing blindness. In our preliminary work, we have established an ultrasensitive polyaniline (PANI)/gold nanoparticles (Au NPs)/indium tin oxide (ITO) modified sensor for rapid detection of pyocyanin (PYO) in P. aeruginosa infections with a linear range from 238 μM to 1.9 μM and a detection limit of 500 nM. In the present study, we evaluated the efficiency of the established modified electrochemical sensor in the diagnosis of P. aeruginosa in 50 samples collected from patients suffering from corneal ulcers. The obtained results were compared with the results gained by the screen-printed electrode, conventional techniques, automated identification method, and the amplification of the 16 s rRNA gene by PCR as a gold standard test for P. aeruginosa identification. We have found that the electrochemical detection of PYO by square wave voltammetry technique using PANI/Au NPs modified ITO electrode was the only technique showing 100% agreement with the molecular method in sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values when compared with the SPE, conventional and automated methods.