Detection of Tetanus Antibody Applying a Cu-Zn-In-S/ZnS Quantum Dot-Based Lateral Flow Immunoassay

Abstract

Lateral flow test strip (LFTS) enables rapid, portable, and low-cost point-of-care testing (POCT) diagnosis. Quantum dots (QDs), which are fluorescent semiconductor nanocrystals with distinctive and unique photophysical properties, have become promising candidates to serve as labels for LFTS with improved sensitivity. Here, by using QDs as a signal reporter, we report a fluorescent LFTS for detection of tetanus antibody. This LFTS possess a high sensitivity for tetanus antibody, with a detection limit of 0.001 IU/mL. This assay was also applied for detection of tetanus antibody in human serum. More importantly, these strips can retain their specificity and sensitivity for at least 4 months when they are stored at 4 °C.