Surface plasmon resonance imaging of pathogens: the Yersinia pestis paradigm

BACKGROUND: Yersinia pestis, causing deadly plague, is classified as a group A bioterrorism bacterium. Some recent DNA-based methods were used for detection of bioterrorism agents. RESULTS: Y. pestis was used as a model organism to develop an immunosensor based on surface plasmon resonance imaging (SPRi) using monoclonal antibody against Y. pestis F1 antigen. The experimental approach included step-by-step detection of Y. pestis membrane proteins, lysed bacteria, intact bacteria, mock-infected powder and mock-infected clinical specimens. SPRi detected on average 10(6) intact Y. pestis organisms in buffer, in mock-infected powder and in a 1:4 mixture with HEL cells. CONCLUSIONS: This study offers the proof-of-concept of the SPRi-based detection of a human pathogen in both environmental and clinical specimens.