title: Assessment of cardiovascular disease risk using immunosensors for determination of C-reactive protein levels in serum and saliva: a pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Disposable immunosensors based on field effect transistors with single-walled carbon nanotubes (NTFET) were applied for the first time to clinical samples of undiluted blood serum and saliva for the determination of C-reactive protein (CRP), and validated by comparison with ELISA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The NTFET showed comparable analytical performance with the ELISA when applied to clinical samples, which means that NTFET can be used as an alternative to ELISA. Also, a high correlation between the serum and salivary CRP levels was found with the NTFET, which means that saliva could be used based on a noninvasive sampling as an alternative fluid to blood serum. The establishment of a new range of CRP levels based on saliva was also found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The monitoring of CRP in saliva samples by disposable immunosensors could be a valuable approach for the improvement of healthcare services, considering the worldwide increased incidence of cardiovascular diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
authors.forename: Celine I L
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Justino
authors.forename: Kátia
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Duarte
authors.forename: Susana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lucas
authors.forename: Paulo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chaves
authors.forename: Paulo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bettencourt
authors.forename: Ana Cristina
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Freitas
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: Susana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cardoso
authors.forename: Armando C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Duarte
authors.forename: Teresa A P
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Rocha-Santos
mesh_terms: D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007159:Immunologic Tests / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D002097:C-Reactive Protein