Application of Quantum-Dot Conjugates for Detection and Subspecies Differentiation of Vibrio cholerae by Optical Methods

Abstract

The application of bioconjugates of specific antibodies and CdSe quantum dots to identify two serovariants of Vibrio cholerae using fluorescence microscopy and optical spectroscopy is considered. It is found that a mixture of different bioconjugates with different emission maxima can be used without affecting the specificity of the method. Different V. cholerae serovariants are colored differently in fl uorescence microscopy (bright green and bright yellow), thereby allowing subspecies differentiation. The absorption spectrum of the bacterial suspension changed with homologous antigens in the sample and did not change with heterologous antigens. It is shown that the quantum-dot bioconjugates can serve as an alternative to the traditional fluorescence and agglutination diagnostics.