Analysis Of Biological Fluids Research Articles

Concept of Equilibrium Flow-Through Methods: Cyclic Injection Analysis and Its Analytical Potential

The concept of equilibrium flow-through methods and their capabilities and limitations are considered. Special attention is paid to cyclic injection analysis (CIA). General diagrams for the automation of cyclic injection analysis of liquid, gaseous, and solid phase samples are presented. Analytical performance of CIA is illustrated by examples of automated chemical analyses of food products, biological fluids, pharmaceuticals, and environmental samples.

Determination of serotonin by using a thin film containing graphite, nanodiamonds and gold nanoparticles anchored in casein

The determination of serotonin has become relevant in biological fluid analysis since some neurological disorders may be related to abnormal amounts of this neurotransmitter in human beings. In this work, it is proposed the construction of a low-cost electrode sensitive to the quantification of serotonin by a biofilm of graphite, nanodiamonds and gold nanoparticles anchored in casein. The casein biofilm was used to anchor the conductive nanomaterials on the GCE. Measurements were performed by differential pulse voltammetry in which showed a linear response with LDR of 0.3 to 3.0 μmol L−1, LOD of 0.1 μmol L−1 and a sensitivity of 0.18 µA L mol−1. The sensor was applied for the serotonin quantification in synthetic urine samples enriched with good recovery (91.4 to 103%). Therefore, the proposed electrode improved the conductivity and the electronic transfer capacity of the pristine electrode by low-cost biofilm, which could be applied in electrochemical biosensing.

Specific and Quantitative Detection of Albumin in Biological Fluids by Tetrazolate-Functionalized Water-Soluble AIEgens.

The analysis of albumin has clinical significance in diagnostic tests and obvious value to research studies on the albumin-mediated drug delivery and therapeutics. The present immunoassay, instrumental techniques, and colorimetric methods for albumin detection are either expensive, troublesome, or insensitive. Herein, a class of water-soluble tetrazolate-functionalized derivatives with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristics is introduced as novel fluorescent probes for albumin detection. They can be selectively lighted up by site-specific binding with albumin. The resulting albumin fluorescent assay exhibits a low detection limit (0.21 nM), high robustness in aqueous buffer (pH = 6-9), and a broad tunable linear dynamic range (0.02-3000 mg/L) for quantification. The tetrazolate functionality endows the probes with a superior water solubility (>0.01 M) and a high binding affinity to albumin (KD = 0.25 μM). To explore the detection mechanism, three unique polar binding sites on albumin are computationally identified, where the multivalent tetrazolate-lysine interactions contribute to the tight binding and restriction of the molecular motion of the AIE probes. The key role of lysine residues is verified by the detection of poly-l-lysine. Moreover, we applied the fluorogenic method to quantify urinary albumin in clinical samples and found it a feasible and practical strategy for albumin analysis in complex biological fluids.

The Performance Investigation of Bimodal Cation Exchange/Hydrophilic Interaction Liquid Chromatography–Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry by Modifying Mobile Phase Composition in Amino Acid Separation

Owing to its unique selectivity, mixed‐mode chromatography (MMC) has been extended to the analysis of biological fluids. Among various MMC applications, ion exchange/hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (IEX/HILIC) is particularly beneficial for the analysis of polar compounds without derivatization or ion pairing. Nevertheless, no practical information about the retention behavior is discussed. In this study, the chromatographic behavior of amino acids in a CEX/hydrophilic interaction mixed‐mode column via the modification of the mobile phase was investigated. A low buffer salt concentration led to increased retention; particularly, positively charged amino acids were not eluted by excessive interactions with the negatively charged stationary phase at a moderate salt concentration (<20 mM). An acid modifier of formic acid or acetic acid exhibited a similar effect on the separation, and a low acid concentration (<0.5%) led to peak broadening by additional ion exchange with a silanol group at high pH. With respect to the composition of organic solvents, aprotic solvents such as tetrahydrofuran or acetonitrile afforded appropriate retention. However, protic solvents led to the considerably reduced retention except positively charged amino acids. Novel, practical information for the optimization or development of applications with a CEX/HILIC column for polar analytes such as amino acids was obtained.

Gadolinium-based contrast agents: A clinically significant analytical interference in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry elemental analysis.

Background Gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) have been used in magnetic resonance imaging for the past 30 years, where they have significantly improved the effectiveness of imaging studies. However, the increased usage of gadolinium in the medical community has also resulted in unexpected interferences in other laboratory assays. This has been particularly the case in clinical elemental analysis using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Methods By conducting ICP-MS interference experiments, we describe how gadolinium interferes with elemental analysis by space charge effect, double charge effect and the creation of polyatomic interferences. Additionally, by reviewing more than a year of reference laboratory data from our laboratory information system, we determined the number of elemental tests cancelled due to gadolinium interference. Results Interference experiments show that gadolinium normally found in GBCAs can interfere with heavy metals, platinum and selenium analysis of biological fluids using ICP-MS. Within one year, our institution’s metals laboratory had to cancel 42 selenium serum tests and 19 heavy metal urine panels due to potential interference caused by gadolinium. Conclusions GBCAs will continue to be utilized in hospitals around the world. However, clinical laboratories should be wary of potential interferences caused by GBCAs. Relevant interferences include space charge effect, double charge interference, and the formation of polyatomic interferences caused by gadolinium. These interferences can negatively affect patient care by resulting in cancelled laboratory tests and causing patients to have blood redrawn and analysed at a later date leading to delays in their diagnosis/treatment.

MAGNETIC SOLID PHASE EXTRACTION APPLICATIONS COMBINED WITH ANALYTICAL METHODS FOR DETERMINATION OF DRUGS IN DIFFERENT MATRICES REVIEW

Sample preparation procedures are essential for drug analysis in biological fluids, tissues, pharmaceutical preparations, food and environmental matrices. For this purpose different techniques have been used like protein precipitation, liquid liquid extraction (LLE) and solid phase extraction (SPE). Magnetic solid phase extraction (MSPE) has become a highly preferred method due to its advantages as a sample preparation-pretreatment technique when compared to classical methods as a novel type of SPE. Basically, this type of extraction is based on the separation of different analytes from complex matrices based on the use of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) as adsorbents. Magnetic solid phase extraction minimizes the use of additional steps which reduces the manipulation of conventional extractions. The main advantages depend on its simplicity, environmentally friendly process, disposable cost, reduced solvent consumption, and short duration. In this review, special attention is paid on drug analysis by using MSPE prior to various analytical methods from biological, environmental and food matrices. MSPE applications, with various types of magnetic adsorbents, and different analytical method combinations were revealed for drug analysis. Abbreviations: LLE, liquid liquid extraction; SPE, solid phase extraction; MSPE, magnetic solid phase extraction; DLLME, dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction; SBSE, stir bar sorptive extraction; SPME, solid phase microextraction; SFE, supercritical fluid extraction; PFE, pressurized fluid extraction; MAE, microwave-assisted extraction; MSPD, matrix solid-phase dispersion; MNP, magnetic nanoparticle; SPION, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging; CE, capillary electrophoresis; UV-Vis, ultraviolet-visible; MS, mass spectrometric; PEI, polyethyleneimine; PVA, polyvinylalcohol; PEG, polyethyleneglycol; PVP, polyvinylpyrrolidone; LC, liquid chromatography; GC, gas chromatography; HPLC, high performance liquid chromatography; FLD, fluorimetric detection; CZE, capillary zone electrophoresis; poly(MAA-co-EDMA), poly methacrylic acid co-ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate LOD, limits of detection; LOQ, limit of quantification; SDS, sodium dodecylsulfate; MPTS, 3-methacryloxypropyl trimethoxysilane; CTAB, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide; MWCNTs, multiwalled carbon nanotubes; DBMNPs, diatomite bonding Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles; EGDMA, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate; DCBI, desorption corona beam ionization; MNGO, magnetic nano graphene oxide; NSAIDs, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; UAMDSPME, ultrasound-assisted magnetic dispersive solid-phase microextraction; MRLs, maximum residue limits; SA, sulfonamide; PCL, polycaprolactone; MM-PCL-SPE, microspheres solid-phase extraction; MISPE, molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction; DMIP, dual-template molecularly imprinted polymer; MOF, metal-organic framework; ZIF-8, zeolite imidazolate framework-8; MSPDE, magnetic solid phase dispersion extraction; MIMM, molecularly imprinted magnetic microsphere.

Specific biological responses following dextran-coated ultra-small superparamagnetic particles of iron oxides administration.

Aim: The potential bio-related risks of dextran-coated ultra-small superparamagnetic particles of iron oxides (D-USPIO) were assessed. Materials & methods: Metabolic responses of D-USPIO in BALB/C mice were obtained using 1H-NMR-based metabolomic strategy combined with the traditional biochemical assay. Results: The metabolomic analyses of biological fluids (plasma and urine) and organs (liver, kidney and spleen) indicated that the disturbance, impairment and recovery of the physiological functions were related to the metabolic response to D-USPIO. The correlations between the biofluids and tissue metabolomes described the specific metabolic information of D-USPIO on their in vivo transportation, absorption, biodistribution and excretion. Conclusion: Metabolomic analysis provides preliminary validation for the use of D-USPIO in clinical medicine, and the results help to understand the potential adverse effects of the similar bio-nanomaterials further serve to their synthesis optimization and biocompatibility improvement.

ORGANIZATIONAL AND ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF CLINICAL AND LABORATORY ACTIVITIES - POSSIBILITIES AND PERSPECTIVES OF OPTIMIZATION

“Clinical Laboratory” is an independent medical specialty, a dynamic clinical discipline of a scientific and applied nature. Laboratory researches, the results of which are objective indicators of the state of the organism, are of great importance in terms of modern medicine. Laboratory analyses help to achieve, within certain limits, such a result that can be used for the purpose of making the necessary medical decisions. “Laboratory Medicine” is a complex specialty, covering different directions: clinical chemistry, laboratory haematology, immunology, immunohematology, biology, drug monitoring and laboratory toxicology. A wide varietyof techniques is used for the analysis of biological fluids, the composition and properties of different types of cells, tissues, organs and systems.According to World Health Organization (WHO)data, in the past 20 years, the rate of morbidity within the population of nosologic units requiring high technologies and accuracy of diagnostic tests has increased. Modern revolution in clinical medicine complicates research methods and, as a result, increases significantly their value and cost.Laboratory units are widely considered to determine the status of each national healthcare system. Effectiveness of laboratory diagnostic process can be ensured by two key elements – high-tech equipment and professional staff. A need exists for identifying and using internal reserves with a view to the optimization of work volume and structures of laboratory and diagnostic units, being a promising and the most realisticdirection in the contemporary socio-economic situation.The mission of Clinical Laboratory departments is focused both on the provision of fast, adequate and accurate medical-diagnostic assistance, as well as on making effective use of any available material and technical resources and personnel potential. The problem being studied, its importance and the analysis of Clinical Laboratory activity are an essential component of the vision for this activity: high quality of clinical and laboratory results, timely and accurate diagnosis, adequate, timely and effective medical decisions.Main activities such as management; documentation of researches assigned and carried out; financial and economic aspects related to the valuation of laboratory analyses; tracking cost and available options for their optimization; reasonable time reduction for the production of laboratory analyses; introducing new high-performance technological equipment to improve the quality of laboratory activities and optimize the healing process have been researched and analysed in the Clinical Laboratory of “Kanev” University Multi-Profile Hospital for Active Treatment, Ruse.

ESTIMATION OF METASTATIC NEOGENESIS IN ASCITIC EXUDATE BY AN AUTOMATED ANALYSIS OF BIOLOGICAL LIQUIDS

The aimis to carry out an automated analysis of biological liquids for the estimation of metastatic neogenesis in ascitic exudates.Materials and methods.A retrospective analysis of 40 case histories of patients with the ascitic syndrome of non-tumour (cirrhotic) and tumour genesis was performed. Traditional cytology was accompanied by an automated analysis of exudative fluids. The final diagnosis was verified using instrumental and pathomorphological methods. The processing of statistical data included an assessment of the intergroup difference significance.Results.Compared with cirrhotic ascites, the following parameters of the automated analysis of biological fluids are found to be statistically significant (p30% in the atypical cell screening system has been established. In the absence of an acute inflammatory reaction, the presence of eosinophils in the exudate should be interpreted as an indirect marker of a tumour process. According to the data obtained, the content of neutrophils, lymphocytes and monocytes in ascitic fluids does not depend on the nature of the process (p>0.05).Conclusion.The diagnostic capabilities of automated analysis of ascitic fluids are analysed. In the system of differential diagnosis of tumour and non-tumour processes, the following parameters are established to possess the greatest informative value: TCN, HF, and the presence of eosinophils (EO).Conflict of interest: the authors declare no conflict of interest.

Matrix Interference in the Determination of Elements in Biological Samples by Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometry and Methods for Its Elimination

The problems of detecting and accounting for spectral and nonspectral interferences arising in the determination of a wide range of elements in biological and pharmaceutical samples by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry are discussed. We studied the features of the effect of matrix components on the accuracy of the results of analysis of biological fluids and pharmaceuticals using a quadrupole mass spectrometer. The processes that have the most significant effect on the suppression of an analytical signal measured by an Agilent 7500c quadrupole mass spectrometer are revealed. The main operational parameters responsible for minimizing the investigated nonspectral interference are determined. Various versions of the internal standard method are studied, which offer a decrease in the effect of the sample composition on the determination results. A direct relationship is found between various modes of operation of the instrument and the criteria for selecting an internal standard. Combined approaches to the complete elimination of nonspectral interference using external calibration are proposed. A method is proposed for decreasing the acidity of the test solution by adsorption separation of the analyte elements and acid.

Preparation and Characterization of Protocatechuic Acid Sulfates.

Protocatechuic acid (3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid; PCA) is a phenolic acid present in plants as a secondary metabolite and is also produced in the human organism as a metabolite from the degradation of polyphenols by the intestinal microbiota, particularly of flavonoids. However, PCA, like most polyphenols, is biotransformed in the human body to different conjugates as sulfates, which are found circulating in blood and could be involved in the bioactivity of the original compound. This paper describes a simple process for the preparation of PCA monosulfates with satisfactory yields. Two compounds were obtained that were identified as PCA-3-sulfate and PCA-4-sulfate by mass spectrometry and 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance using one- and two-dimensional techniques (heteronuclear single-quantum coherence and heteronuclear multiple-bond correlation). Differential MS fragmentation behavior and UV spectra were observed for each compound, which could be used for their identification in samples of unknown composition. The described procedure can be used for the preparation of these polyphenol metabolites in view of their use in in vivo and in vitro studies, as well as standards for their analysis in biological fluids, to contribute to the elucidation of biological effects of dietary polyphenols.

Analyzing Hyaluronidases in Biological Fluids.

Hyaluronidases are a group of enzymes responsible for the degradation of hyaluronan. They seem to be associated with a plethora of pathological conditions, as it has been showcased by numerous studies over the past years. The emerging role of hyaluronidases in various pathological states, especially cancer, is of a great interest. Thus, they are considered as important research targets.In this chapter the popular assay for hyaluronidase analysis in biological fluids is presented and discussed in detail. The assay is divided into two steps; the first is zymography that aims mainly to detect different hyaluronidase enzymes in a biological sample, and the second is the direct quantitative measurement of enzymatic activity by a microtiter plate assay. Both steps are characterized by high sensitivity, simplicity, and limited time consumption.

Смешанные хиральные неподвижные фазы в хроматографии (обзор)

Обсуждается использование смешанных селекторов в газовой и высокоэффективной жидкостной хроматографии для разделения оптических изомеров. Они позволяют повысить универсальность хиральной фазы. В газовой хроматографии широко и успешно используются смеси модифицированного β-циклодекстрина. В ВЭЖХ наиболее изучены смешанные хиральные селекторы на основенизкомолекулярных селекторов и производных полисахаридов, в меньшей степени ̶ белков и макроциклических антибиотиков.

Sensitive inexpensive chromatographic determination of an antimicrobial combination in human plasma and its pharmacokinetic application

This study represents simple inexpensive chromatographic determination of ciprofloxacin (CIP) and tinidazole (TIN) simultaneously in human plasma using HPLC-DAD followed by a pharmacokinetic application. C18 column was used as stationary phase with isocratic elution of a mobile phase composed of acetic acid solution (2%) and acetonitrile (85: 15, v/v) and ornidazole as internal standard (IS) with UV detection at 318 nm. The two drugs and the IS were separated at 6.55, 7.91 and 11.07 min for CIP, TIN and IS, respectively, with good selectivity and sensitivity for their analysis in presence of plasma matrix components and the drugs' metabolites. Sample preparation involved only protein precipitation without any complicated extraction procedures decreasing analysis time. For method validation, FDA regulations for analysis in biological fluids were followed. Pharmacokinetic (PK) study on six healthy volunteers was conducted after single oral dose administration of 500 and 600 mg of CIP and TIN, respectively. Dugs' plasma levels were followed for 12 or 72 h post dosing for CIP and TIN, respectively, and different PK data for the two drugs were calculated and they were comparable to the reported values demonstrating successful future application of the presented method in PK, bioequivalence and bioavailability studies.

Vacuum Matrix-Assisted Ionization Source Offering Simplicity, Sensitivity, and Exceptional Robustness in Mass Spectrometry.

Vacuum matrix-assisted ionization (vMAI) uses select matrix compounds which when exposed to the vacuum of a mass spectrometer produce gas-phase ions from associated volatile or nonvolatile analyte without external energy input. Here, a vMAI source was constructed to replace the commercial inlet of a Thermo Orbitrap mass spectrometer. This allowed for rapid introduction of the matrix/analyte sample by a probe, contrary to vacuum matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) sources. The matrix/analyte sample is inserted into a region of the "S-lens" entrance, where the spontaneously formed ions can be effectively transferred to the mass analyzer. This specifically designed ion source requires no laser, high voltage, heat, or nebulizing gases. A low voltage is used to transmit the ions through the commercial "S-lens" assembly and airflow can be used to modulate the ionization event. A few picograms of the drug erythromycin, assisted by the 3-nitrobenzonitrile vMAI matrix, is sufficient to produce mass spectra for over 1 min with the MH+ ion as the base peak in each mass spectrum. There is minimal carryover when loading high concentration samples and complex mixtures, contrary to direct infusion electrospray ionization, providing the probe is thoroughly cleaned between each new sample acquisition. Analyses of biological fluids, bacterial extracts, tissue, and high concentration samples have so far shown no indication of inlet or instrument contamination with these samples. The typical ultrahigh resolution and mass accuracy of the mass spectrometer are achieved, and a path forward to potential high throughput acquisitions demonstrated. It is expected that robustness can be introduced to any mass spectrometer through implementation of such a simple source.

Opto-mechanical oscillator in a nanoliter droplet.

Droplets are very simple physical systems, whereby surface tension shapes liquids into ideal opto-mechanical devices. This has recently enabled low-viscosity liquid samples to serve as miniature acoustic resonators harnessing optical generation of bulk vibrations, capillaries, or surface waves. Uniquely, a simple room-temperature pendant droplet can be activated as a hypersound-laser emitter when illuminated by a free-space, low-power visible laser thanks to stimulated Brillouin scattering of optical and acoustic whispering-gallery modes. Here, we demonstrate continuous operation of a liquid polymer opto-mechanical resonator and characterize its quality factor and long-term frequency stability. Our results point to the feasibility of all-liquid micro-mechanical oscillators working in the 50-100MHz range. The stimulated generation of high-quality surface waves on nanoliter droplets gives momentum to new optical schemes for characterization of material viscous-elastic properties, laboratory investigation of atmospheric phenomena, and mass sensing for direct analysis of biological fluids based on ultrasound-hypersound coherent generation and detection.

Hypercrosslinked polymeric restricted access materials for analysis of biological fluids.

New restricted access materials based on microporous hypercrosslinked polystyrene have been developed. The materials are aimed to use as packings for solid-phase extraction cartridges to isolate low-molecular-weight analytes from biological fluids (for instance, blood plasma or serum). Two features distinguish these polymers from all known restricted access materials. The first one consists of the microporous hypercrosslinked polystyrene that not only exclude proteins from the sorbent phase but also do not adsorb them on the bead outer surface, and so they do not cause coagulation of blood protein components. Therefore, these materials do not require any chemical modification. The second distinguishing feature is the ability of hypercrosslinked sorbents to take up a wide variety of polar and nonpolar organic compounds. The sorbents were obtained in the form of beads of 60-70μm in diameter by cross-linking styrene copolymers with 1, 2, and 3% divinylbenzene with monochlorodimethyl ether to 100, 150, and 200% cross-linking degree. The sorbents exhibit all typical properties of hypercrosslinked networks. They do not take up albumin, the major blood protein, and cytochrome C, representative of smaller protein molecules, but are capable of adsorbing drugs, vitamins, and phenyl carboxylic acids (markers of sepsis) from model aqueous solutions.

A targeted metabolomic procedure for amino acid analysis in different biological specimens by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Amino acid analysis in biological fluids is essential for the study of inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) and other diseases. Our aim was to develop a UPLC-MS/MS procedure for the analysis of 25 amino acids and identification of 17 related compounds. Sample treatment conditions were optimized for plasma, urine, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and dried blood spots. Amino acids and related compounds were analyzed on a Waters ACQUITY UPLC H-class instrument with a reversed-phase C-18 column using water and acetonitrile with 0.1% formic acid as the mobile phases (run time = 9min). The detection was performed with a Waters Xevo TQD triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer using positive electrospray ionization in the multiple reaction monitoring mode. The method linearity, intra-assay and inter-assay precision, detection limit, quantification limit and trueness analysis displayed adequate results in both physiological and pathological conditions. Method comparison was performed between UPLC-MS/MS and ion exchange chromatography (IEC) with ninhydrin derivatization, and the methods showed good agreement, except for 4-hydroxyproline, aspartate and citrulline. Paediatrics age-related reference values in plasma, urine and CSF were established and patients with different IEM were easily identified. We report a modified UPLC-MS/MS procedure for the analysis of 42 amino acids and related compounds in different specimens. The method is fast, sensitive and robust, and it has been validated to be an alternative to the traditional IEC procedure as the routine method used in metabolic laboratories. The method greatly decreases the run time of the analysis while displaying good metrological results.

Using LIBS to diagnose melanoma in biomedical fluids deposited on solid substrates: Limits of direct spectral analysis and capability of machine learning

Diagnosis is crucial to increase the success rate of cancer treatments as well as the survival rate and life quality of patients, in particular for forms of cancer that remain largely asymptomatic until metastasis. Methodologies that allow the diagnosis of early-stage tumors as well as the detection of residual disease have the potential to improve cancer control and help monitor therapeutic outcomes. In this work, we report a Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) approach to early diagnosis of a form of skin cancer, melanoma, based on the analysis of biological fluids (blood and tissue homogenates) harvested from diseased mice and healthy controls. We acquired femtosecond LIBS spectra and used two different approaches for the analysis: through comparison of the emission intensity of selected analytes in healthy and diseased samples; and by using machine learning classification algorithms (LDA, Linear Discriminant Analysis; FDA, Fisher Discriminant Analysis; SVM, Support Vector Machines; and Gradient Boosting). We also addressed the effect of substrates on the analysis of liquid samples, by using four different substrates (PVDF, Cu, Al, Si) and comparing their performance. We show that with a combination of the most appropriate substrate and algorithm, we are able to discriminate between healthy and diseased mice with accuracy up to 96% while direct analysis of LIBS spectra did not provide any conclusive results. These series of results demonstrate that carefully designed LIBS measurements combined with machine learning can be a powerful and practical approach for the diagnosis of cancer.

Omnidispersible Hedgehog Particles with Multilayer Coatings for Multiplexed Biosensing.

Hedgehog particles (HPs) replicating the spiky geometry of pollen grains revealed surprisingly high dispersion stability regardless of whether their hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity matches that of the media or not. This property designated as omnidispersibility is attributed to the drastic reduction of van der Waals interactions between particles coated with stiff nanoscale spikes as compared to particles of the same dimensions with smooth surfaces. One may hypothesize but it remains unknown, however, whether HPs modified with polymers or nanoparticles (NPs) would retain this property. Surface modifications of the spikes will expand the functionalities of HPs, making possible their utilization as omnidispersible carriers. Here, we show that HPs carrying dense conformal coatings made by layer-by-layer (LBL/LbL) assembly maintain dispersion stability in environments of extreme polarity and ionic strength. HPs, surface-modified by multilayers of polymers and gold NPs, are capable of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and overcome the limited colloidal stability of other SERS probes. The agglomeration resilience of HPs leads to a greater than one order of magnitude increase of SERS intensity as compared to colloids with smooth surfaces and enables simultaneous detection of several targets in complex media with high ionic strength. Omnidispersible optically active colloids open the door for rapid multiplexed SERS analysis in biological fluids and other applications.