Abstract
Rapid diagnostic tests are one of the most commonly used tests to detect and screen for infectious diseases in the developing world. While these tests are simple, inexpensive, and readily available, they rely on finger-prick blood sampling, which requires trained medical personnel, poses risks of infection, and can complicate cooperation in young children, asymptomatic individuals, and communities with blood taboos. Here, we report a novel microneedle-based skin patch for the rapid detection of protein biomarkers in dermal interstitial fluid. Sample collection is facilitated by a hydrophilic hollow microneedle array that autonomously extracts and transports interstitial fluid to an antibody-based lateral flow test strip via surface tension for colorimetric antigen detection. We employ a simple gold enhancement treatment to enhance the detection sensitivity of this colloidal gold-based lateral flow assay and elucidate the underlying mechanism of this enhancement mechanism through experimental investigation. For proof-of-concept, this device was used to detect Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich protein 2, a biomarker for malaria infection, which could be detected at concentrations as low as 8 ng/mL. Each test can be completed in <20 min and requires no equipment. To the best of our knowledge, this work is the first demonstration of a microneedle-based lateral flow assay for rapid protein detection in dermal interstitial fluid. In addition to its simplicity, minimally invasive nature, and low cost, this diagnostic device can be readily adapted to detect other protein biomarkers in interstitial fluid, making it a promising tool for point-of-care testing.
Highlights
Infectious diseases are one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the developing world[1]
Design of the skin patch The device consists of a hollow polymeric microneedle array integrated with a colloidal gold-based lateral flow immunoassay encased within a self-adhesive patch (Fig. 1a)
The microneedle array is comprised of hollow microneedles made from polymerized SU-8 photoresist on a flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate
Summary
Infectious diseases are one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the developing world[1]. This novel device integrates a hollow microneedle array with a colloid gold-based lateral flow immunoassay on a disposable skin patch. Design of the skin patch The device consists of a hollow polymeric microneedle array integrated with a colloidal gold-based lateral flow immunoassay encased within a self-adhesive patch (Fig. 1a).
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