Electrochemical detection of hepatitis C virus with signal amplification using BamHl endonuclease and horseradish peroxidase-encapsulated nanogold hollow spheres

摘要

A novel electrochemical method to detect hepatitis C virus was developed based on site-specific cleavage of BamHl endonuclease and enzymatic signal amplification with horseradish peroxidase-encapsulated nanogold hollow spheres. Hepatitis C virus (HCV), a small (36-65 nm in size) and positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus, displays extensive genetic heterogeneity and is a major causative agent of chronic hepatitis and progressive liver fibrosis leading to cirrhosis and hepato-cellular carcinoma. The level of HCV RNA in human serum is usually used for evaluating therapy and detecting recurrence or metastasis since diagnosis of HCV can occur via RNA analysis of the 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR).