Abstract
This study reports a novel, fast, easy, and sensitive detection method for bacteria which is urgently needed to diagnose infections in their early stages. Our work presents a complex of poly(amidoamine) dendrimer modified by phenylboronic acid and labeled by a fluorescent dansyl group (Dan-B8.5-PAMAM). Our system detects bacteria in 20 min with a sensitivity of approximately 104 colony-forming units (CFU)·mL−1. Moreover, it does not require any peculiar technical skills or expensive materials. The driving force for bacteria recognition is the binding between terminal phenylboronic acids on the probe and bacteria’s surface glycolipids, rather than electrostatic interactions. The aggregation caused by such binding reduces fluorescence. Even though our recognition method does not distinguish between live or dead bacteria, it shows selective antibacterial activity towards Gram-negative bacteria. This study may potentially contribute a new method for the convenient detection and killing of bacteria.
Highlights
In recent years, development of multidrug-resistant bacteria is becoming a global issue [1,2]
In the case of dansyl group (Dan)-B8.5-PAMAM fluorescence measurements, visible aggregates were obtained, and the sensitivity was significantly improved to 104 colony-forming units (CFU)·mL−1
The size of aggregates was dependent on the number of terminal phenylboronic acids on dendrimers, deemed to be the determinant for the increase in sensitivity
Summary
Development of multidrug-resistant bacteria is becoming a global issue [1,2]. Since the abuse of antibiotics is a major reason for the genetic mutation, more specific dosing is urgently needed [3,4]. In order to detect and diagnose infections in their early stages, species-specific recognition of bacteria is important. A major recognition system for bacteria would need expensive reagents [5,6] or traditional cultivation for several days [7]. To the best of our knowledge, a fast, easy, and sensitive detection method for bacteria has not been established yet in clinical practice. The problem has attracted the interest of many researchers, and various nanomaterials conjugated with recognition elements which can recognize bacteria [8,9] or microbial agents [10] have been reported.
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