The development of an electrochemical immunosensor utilizing chicken IgY anti-spike antibody for the detection of SARS-CoV-2

Sci Rep. 2024 Jan 7;14(1):748. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-50501-w.

Abstract

This paper introduces a novel approach for detecting the SARS-CoV-2 recombinant spike protein combining a label free electrochemical impedimetric immunosensor with the use of purified chicken IgY antibodies. The sensor employs three electrodes and is functionalized with an anti-S IgY antibody, ELISA and immunoblot assays confirmed the positive response of chicken immunized with SARS-CoV2 S antigen. The developed immunosensor is effective in detecting SARS-CoV-2 in nasopharyngeal clinical samples from suspected cases. The key advantage of this biosensor is its remarkable sensitivity, and its capability of detecting very low concentrations of the target analyte, with a detection limit of 5.65 pg/mL. This attribute makes it highly suitable for practical point-of-care (POC) applications, particularly in low analyte count clinical scenarios, without requiring amplification. Furthermore, the biosensor has a wide dynamic range of detection, spanning from 11.56 to 740 ng/mL, which makes it applicable for sample analysis in a typical clinical setting.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies
  • Biosensing Techniques*
  • Blood Group Antigens*
  • COVID-19* / diagnosis
  • Chickens
  • Immunoassay
  • RNA, Viral
  • SARS-CoV-2

Substances

  • IgY
  • RNA, Viral
  • Antibodies
  • Blood Group Antigens