Piezoelectric Immunosensors for Urine Specimens of Chlamydia trachomatis Employing Quartz Crystal Microbalance Microgravimetric Analyses

The assembly of a biosensor for Chlamydia trachomatis based on the microgravimetric quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) analysis of the bacteria association to an antibody-functionalized electrode is described. The sensing interfaces consist of a primary cystamine monolayer assembled onto Au electrodes associated with the quartz crystal. The monolayer is further modified with sulfo-succinylimidyl 4-(p-maleimidophenyl)butyrate (sulfo-SMPB) and the goat IgG-anti-mouse IgG Fc-specific Ab or the fragmented F(ab′)₂ anti-mouse IgG Ab that act as sublayers for the association of the sensor-active anti-C. trachomatis LPS-Ab. Bacteria in the concentration range from 260 ng·mL^-1 to 7.8 μg·mL^-1 are sensed by the functionalized crystals. The association of C. trachomatis to the sensing interface can be confirmed and amplified via interaction of the crystal with various anti-C. trachomatis antibodies. Urine-pretreated functionalized quartz crystals are applied in the analysis of C. trachomatis in urine samples. The sensitivity limits of the electrodes for sensing the bacteria in urine samples corresponds to ∼260 ng·mL^-1. The functionalized crystals assembled via association of anti-C. trachomatis LPS-Ab to the fragmented F(ab′)₂ anti-mouse IgG Ab reveal long-term stability upon storage at 4 °C.