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Low-cost immunosensing approach for Chagas disease: exploiting modified pencil graphite electrodes with polymer films

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Abstract

Chagas disease (CD) is an endemic disease in America that affects impoverished communities. It is caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, which is transmitted by triatomine insects known as kissing bugs. Considering the treatment effectiveness, early detection of the disease is crucial to control its impact on public health. In this study, we developed a low-cost immunosensor in which pencil graphite electrodes (PGEs) were functionalized by electropolymerization of monomers 2-aminobenzamide (2AB), 4-aminobenzoic acid (4ABA), 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (4HBA), 4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (4HPA), and 4-aminophenylacetic acid (4APA). Electrochemical and morphological studies confirmed the successful modification of PGEs for all investigated compounds. The bioreceptor IBMP 8.1, a recombinant antigen, was immobilized on each functionalized platform. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy identified poly(4HPA) as the most effective material for functionalizing PGEs and consequently recognizing the anti-T. cruzi antibodies, leading to their selection for subsequent optimization of the transducer. The use of silver nanoparticles to improve sensitivity was also investigated. The conditions for immobilizing the antigen, blocking the protein, and the dilution and response time of the device were optimized. Cross-reactivity studies with other diseases have demonstrated the high specificity of immunosensors. Reproducibility and repeatability tests showed relative standard deviation values of 7.3% (± 2.4) and 5.6% (± 1.8), respectively, for the 20 sensors. Furthermore, the stability over a three-month period (n = 20) showed a 32% decrease in response at 25 °C and a 12% decrease at 4 °C. These results indicated the potential of PGE/poly(4HPA) for rapid and accurate CD detection.

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Acknowledgements

The authors extend their gratitude to the Centro Integrado de Pós-Graduação e Pesquisa em Saúde (CIPq) at UFVJM for providing essential equipment and technical support for the experiments.

Funding

We also acknowledge financial support from the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG) under grant numbers APQ-00207–21 and RED-00032–22 and the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) under grant number 404210/2021–0. This study was partially funded by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), Brazil (Finance Code 001).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Science and Technology, Federal University of the Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys (UFVJM), Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil

    Andressa de Oliveira Almeida, Rafael Mendes Coelho, Ângelo Rafael Machado & Lucas Franco Ferreira

  2. Pharmacy Department, Federal University of the Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys (UFVJM), Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil

    Helen Rodrigues Martins

  3. Department of Natural Sciences, Federal University of São João del-Rei (UFSJ), São João del-Rei, Minas Gerais, Brazil

    Arnaldo César Pereira

  4. Advanced Laboratory of Public Health, Gonçalo Moniz Institute (IGM), FIOCRUZ-BA, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil

    Fred Luciano Neves Santos

  5. Molecular Biology Institute of Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil

    Paola Alejandra Fiorani Celedon

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  1. Andressa de Oliveira Almeida
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  2. Rafael Mendes Coelho
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Correspondence to Lucas Franco Ferreira.

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de Oliveira Almeida, A., Coelho, R.M., Machado, Â.R. et al. Low-cost immunosensing approach for Chagas disease: exploiting modified pencil graphite electrodes with polymer films. J Solid State Electrochem 29, 935–949 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10008-024-06069-0

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