title: Electrochemical-surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (E-SERS) of uric acid: a potential rapid diagnostic method for early preeclampsia detection.
abstract: An increased level of uric acid in urine and plasma is indicative of the development of preeclampsia, a hypertensive disorder that can occur during pregnancy. The preliminary steps towards developing a rapid tool for early diagnosis of preeclampsia using electrochemical SERS (E-SERS) for the detection of uric acid in urine are presented herein. Characterization of the uric acid species was completed using cyclic voltammetry, UV spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and electrochemical surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (E-SERS). E-SERS was capable of easily detecting uric acid directly at concentrations <1 mM in urine simulant, without the need for costly enzymes and bulky equipment, and thus demonstrates promise as a rapid point-of-care diagnostic tool for detection of early onset preeclampsia in developing nation settings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Saint Mary's University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 3C3.
authors.forename: Barbara L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Goodall
authors.forename: Ashley M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: Christa L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Brosseau
mesh_terms: D055664:Electrochemical Techniques; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012834:Silver / Q000737:chemistry; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman; D014527:Uric Acid / Q000652:urine*
chemical_list: D014527:Uric Acid; D012834:Silver