Google Analytics and quick response for advancement of gold nanoparticle-based dual lateral flow immunoassay for malaria – Plasmodium lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH)

Abstract

A rapid dual lateral flow diagnostic assay fabricated with quick response (QR) barcodes was developed to improve the quality control of malaria diagnostic tests, as well as to enhance systems for transferring data from survey studies among community healthcare workers at a point-of-care facility and centralized laboratories. The lateral flow kit has been modified with QR technology encoded with Google Analytics information for the detection and real-time tracking of Plasmodium lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH). The QR barcode was fabricated by attaching two QR barcodes which were encoded with websites that were linked to Google Analytics. The optical and structural properties of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were studied using UV-visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and a Biodot XYZ. The anti-mouse IgG antibody was used as a secondary antibody to act as a control and anti-pLDH. The antibody binding with pLDH antigens shows a test line indicating a positive test in the presence of phosphate buffer as a mobile phase. The diagnostic kit for the rapid detection of pLDH was developed and validated for the detection of malaria antigens at the lowest detectable recombinant concentration of 10 ng ml⁻¹. The diagnostic kit was incorporated with quick QR barcodes for positive, negative and invalid tests readable with a smartphone. These QR barcodes successfully allowed us to track the precise location of the test through Google Analytics.