Detection of canine and equine procalcitonin for sepsis diagnosis in veterinary clinic by the development of novel MIP-based SPR biosensors

• Published in: Talanta (Oxford) 2021-08, Vol.230, p.122347-122347, Article 122347
• Main Authors: Battaglia, F., Baldoneschi, V., Meucci, V., Intorre, L., Minunni, M., Scarano, S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Biosensing Techniques; Dogs; Horses; Hospitals, Animal; Humans; Molecular Imprinting; Molecularly imprinted polymers; Optical biosensors; Polydopamine; Polynorepinephrine; Procalcitonin; Reproducibility of Results; Sepsis - diagnosis; Sepsis - veterinary; Surface Plasmon Resonance
• ISSN: 0039-9140; 1873-3573
• DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2021.122347

Procalcitonin (PCT) has emerged as a promising biomarker for the rapid identification of sepsis both in human and veterinary medicine. Nevertheless, the only analytical method currently available for the detection of PCT in veterinary species, is represented by immunoassays, useful only for research purposes. In this work, we report the development of two biosensors which utilize molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) for the detection of canine and equine PCT. Dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) were used as monomers for the synthesis of the MIP films on surface plasmon resonance (SPR) gold chips and the imprinting efficiency of canine and equine PCT in terms of binding affinity toward the analyte, selectivity, and sensitivity were compared. After optimization in buffer conditions, PCTs calibration was successfully achieved also in animal plasma, with good specificity and reproducibility. More effective protein binding and imprinting was obtained with polynorepinephrine (PNE) for both PCTs, and the SPR biosensors were able to detect the biomarkers in plasma with a LOD of 15 ng mL−1 and 30 ng mL−1 respectively for equine and canine PCT. [Display omitted] •Methods for procalcitonin detection are poorly investigated in veterinary medicine.•The only analytical method available is represented by immunoassays.•Molecular imprinting is a widely explored strategy to develop biosensors platforms.•Here we report two MIP receptors for canine and equine procalcitonin.•PDA- and PNE-based MIPs are optimized and compared by SPR.