title: Enzyme-responsive polymers for microbial infection detection.
abstract: There is a pressing need for point-of-care diagnostics indicating early stages of infection. Polymers can respond to enzymes secreted by microorganisms or released by the human immune system. This provokes either a direct color reaction or release of dyes, allowing early-stage detection of wound infections and contamination of medical devices. Conventional methods for the detection of infection indicators are based on slow, laboratory-based procedures and, consequently, do not allow a timely assessment. In contrast, polymer-based materials offer real-time responses in point-of-care devices that, in turn, allow therapists to amend treatment before the infection has become firmly established. The use of protein, polysaccharide and mixed polymer systems provides a sensitive means to detect the low levels of proteases and glycosyl hydrolases produced on initiation of infection in the clinical setting. These polymers can be easily fabricated into various forms that can be directly applied in diagnostic devices.
authors.affiliation: a 1 Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology, Konrad Lorenz Straße 20, 3430 Tulln an der Donau, Austria.
authors.forename: Doris
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schiffer
authors.forename: Gregor
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tegl
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Heinzle
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sigl
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Metcalf
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bowler
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Burnet
authors.forename: Georg M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Guebitz
mesh_terms: D001704:Biopolymers; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D004798:Enzymes / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006868:Hydrolysis; D007239:Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D011108:Polymers; D011134:Polysaccharides; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D059748:Proteolysis
chemical_list: D001704:Biopolymers; D004798:Enzymes; D011108:Polymers; D011134:Polysaccharides; D011506:Proteins
keywords: cathepsin G; diagnosis; elastase; enzyme-responsive polymers; gelatinase; hydrogel; infection; lysozyme; peptidoglycan; platelet concentrate