Lighting up heart disease without antibodies: Researchers design low-cost blood test for resource-poor clinics
Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) claims hundreds of thousands of lives each year, devastating children and young adults in low- and middle-income countries where access to specialized ultrasound equipment and refrigerated testing labs is virtually nonexistent. Inexpensive penicillin could stop the progressive valve damage if the disease is detected early, yet millions remain undiagnosed until…
Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) strikes thousands each year, particularly affecting children and young adults in low-income countries where specialized equipment and refrigerated labs are scarce. Early detection of the disease is crucial as penicillin can stop the damage to heart valves, yet most cases are diagnosed too late, leading to irreversible heart failure.
Researchers from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev have developed a novel, antibody-free diagnostic probe capable of detecting cardiac inflammatory biomarkers in blood, even without refrigeration or complex laboratory equipment. Published in ACS Sensors, this study could pave the way for affordable, rapid screening in remote and underserved areas.
Led by Professor Ayelet David, the team created a synthetic, polymer-based sensor equipped with peptide ligands and near-infrared fluorescent dyes. Acting like an optical switch, the probe is designed to remain stable under ambient temperatures, making it ideal for use in resource-poor clinics. Unlike traditional immunoassays that rely on expensive, heat-sensitive biological antibodies, this new probe offers a cost-effective and resilient solution for early detection of RHD.
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