Bacterial infection in the urinary tract is one of the most common hospital-acquired infections that are often treated empirically to shorten the patient discomfort and may lead to antimicrobial resistance. Moreover, the gold standard tests for these infections rely on time-intensive (16-48 hours) bacteria culture techniques that further deters immediate evidence-based treatment. In order to address the challenges associated with timely bacteria identification in urinary tract infection patients, we leverage the sensitivity of electrochemical detection and specificity of the catalytically functional nucleic acids for bacterial recognition on a differential signaling platform. The integrated electrochemical construct of the functional nucleic acid when utilized with a release and capture event-based barcode assay on rationally engineered three-dimensional surfaces, was able to detect clinically relevant bacteria concentrations (10<sup>3</sup> – 10<sup>6</sup> CFU/mL) present in urine against a panel of other gram-positive and negative bacteria in less than one hour. This facile strategy provided four distinct advantages: 1) efficient interaction of the functional nucleic acid with the bacterial target, 2) high signal-to-noise ratio due to differential signaling, 3) increased loading density of functional nucleic acid for enhanced signal, and 4) rapid sample-in to answer-out. When challenged with 41 clinically obtained samples, the assay demonstrated a clinical sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 78%. This accurate detection and identification platform of the urinary pathogen when multiplexed for a panel of the urinary pathogen would provide useful information to the healthcare providers at the point of care for prompt treatments with therapies and hence improving antibiotics stewardship.

Developing a rapid and culture-free electrochemical point-of-care test for bacteria in urine: A functional recognition and material approach.

ACS Fall 2021

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.