Aggregation-induced emission silence-mediated pathogen detection using a rapidly degradable nanographene-embedded polymersome

J Mater Chem B. 2024 Oct 9;12(39):10028-10040. doi: 10.1039/d4tb01379d.

Abstract

Typical pathogen detection processes are time-consuming and require expensive equipment and professional operators, limiting their practical applicability. Developing a rapid and easy-to-read method of accurately sensing pathogenic bacteria is critical for reducing the spread and risk of infection in high-risk areas. Herein, the synthesis of nanographene (nanoG) that exhibits aggregation-induced emission (AIE) is described. The nanoG was embedded into a hydrophobic shell of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) polymersome in a double-emulsion process, significantly enhancing the nanoG luminescence under irradiation at 330 nm due to the enrichment of nanoG between the inner and outer PLGA shells. Both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria can rapidly degrade the PLGA vesicular structure, leading to dispersal of the nanoG inside the shell and silencing the AIE effect. A linear relationship between the bacterial concentration and emissivity was established, and the detection limit was identified. Moreover, the polymersome has excellent selectivity for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) detection after a screening pretreatment of a bacterial mixture with suitable antibiotics. The AIE silencing could be observed with the naked eye in an MRSA-infected wound treated with the polymersome after 1 h of incubation, demonstrating a high potential for clinical rapid screening applications.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Graphite / chemistry
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus* / drug effects
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus* / isolation & purification
  • Particle Size
  • Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer / chemistry

Substances

  • Graphite
  • Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents