Murugan Manikandan, Saranya Elangovan, Ramya Mohandass
Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Department of Genetic Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, College of Engineering and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chengalpattu, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 603 203, India.
Sci Rep. 2025 Apr 29;15(1):14942. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-94494-0.
Shigella flexneri, a formidable gram-negative bacterium, that triggers the most contagious form of shigellosis through bloody diarrhea, presenting a significant threat. As a severe foodborne pathogen, it underscores the need for intensified research into more effective prevention strategies and heightened public health awareness. The traditional methods used to detect S. flexneri are time-consuming and inconvenient. As a result, there is a need for accurate and rapid diagnostics in food and water samples. The experimental methods involved modifying S. flexneri-specific HGD-aptamer and employing single-walled carbon nanotubes to develop a colorimetric detection assay exploiting DNAzyme. The HGD-aptamer-SWCNT complex binds specifically to S. flexneri cells, resulting in a detectable colorimetric response in a test sample involving enzymatic reactions. The assay's efficacy was validated through sensitivity and specificity evaluations, which demonstrated a detection limit of 51 CFU/mL and selective detection of the target with no signal in different bacterial environments. Comparative analysis with PCR-based methods confirmed the assay's performance, highlighting its potential as a rapid, cost-effective, and user-friendly diagnostic tool. This study introduces an innovative approach to identifying S. flexneri, which has the potential to improve food safety, environmental monitoring, and public health.
福氏志贺菌是一种强大的革兰氏阴性细菌，它通过血性腹泻引发最具传染性的志贺氏菌病，构成重大威胁。作为一种严重的食源性病原体，它凸显了加强对更有效预防策略研究以及提高公众健康意识的必要性。用于检测福氏志贺菌的传统方法既耗时又不方便。因此，需要对食品和水样进行准确、快速的诊断。实验方法包括修饰福氏志贺菌特异性HGD适配体，并使用单壁碳纳米管开发一种利用DNA酶的比色检测法。HGD适配体-单壁碳纳米管复合物特异性结合福氏志贺菌细胞，在涉及酶促反应的测试样品中产生可检测的比色响应。通过灵敏度和特异性评估验证了该检测法的有效性，评估结果显示检测限为51 CFU/mL，并且在不同细菌环境中对目标具有选择性检测且无信号。与基于PCR的方法进行的比较分析证实了该检测法的性能，突出了其作为一种快速、经济高效且用户友好的诊断工具的潜力。本研究介绍了一种鉴定福氏志贺菌的创新方法，该方法有可能改善食品安全、环境监测和公众健康。
