Automated sepsis detection with vancomycin- and allantoin-polydopamine magnetic nanoparticles

Abstract In the realm of sepsis diagnostics, timely and precise identification of causative bacteria is crucial for effective patient care. This study introduces a groundbreaking method that harnesses vancomycin (Van)- and allantoin (Al)-conjugated polydopamine (PDA)-coated magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) to achieve rapid and automated preconcentration and DNA extraction of sepsis-inducing bacteria from blood. The PDA coating ensures optimal dispersion of MNPs, allowing larger sample volumes to assay sensitivity and specificity. Notably, the immunomagnetic separation (IMS) method, enabled by Al/Van-PDA-MNPs, avoids the need for preliminary sample pretreatments, offering a swift, yet efficient avenue for bacterial preconcentration and DNA extraction. The sample preparation process concludes in less than 1 hour. Short processing times paired with accuracy of the method suggest this as a feasible diagnostic tool for various healthcare settings, from small clinics to expansive hospitals. Moreover, the system's strategic use of nanoparticles for DNA extraction illuminates the potential for breakthroughs in sepsis diagnostics, fostering earlier interventions and better patient outcomes.