Question

For an aptamer sensor speculate on what might cause a false positive, and what might cause a false negative. How could PCR be used to improve the sensitivity of the sensor? Suppose in place of gold nanoparticles, superparamagnetic nanoparticles were used instead; how might such a sensor work then? The this sensor is sensitive to K+ as well, but it’s not apparent from the schematics. How might this (a K+ indicator) be operative?

Answer 1

Results: The test was developed with a panel of sera from pat. with suspected HIT confirrmed with HIPA. After optimization, an internal validation with 60 sera agreed with HIPA, with a tendency of less falsely positive results than ELISA. A clinical trial confirmed these results (Sachs U, et al., in prep.). Preliminary tests with whole blood and plasma demonstrated principal feasibility for these specimens, a validation is in progress. Discussion: The new rapid assay QuickLine HIT detects or excludes reliably the presence of AB of the IgG type directed against PF4/PA AB within 10 minutes with minimum handling. Quantitative results can be obtained as well. The format of a single HIT test unit fits well into any lab; such tests are ordered infrequently. Together with clinical data this assay could be used for deciding on the anticoagulation strategy more evidence based and may reduce risks and costs in patients with HIT.