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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2023.11.15.567298

Rapid and Highly Sensitive Detection of Fentanyl and its Analogs by a Novel Chemiluminescence Immunoassay

Zhao, J.-y.·Uddin, M.·Unsihuay, D.·Butler, W.·Xia, T. W.·Xu, J. Z.·Jannetto, P. J.·Wang, P.·Xia, X.
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Abstract

A highly sensitive immunoassay with sub-picogram limit of detection for fentanyl and a wide range of fentanyl analogs has been developed, using a novel high affinity antibody fused with NanoLuc, a small-size luciferase that can emit strong and stable luminescence. When applied to unaltered clinical human urine samples, the assay has sub-picogram limit of detection for fentanyl, with results fully concordant with gold standard liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. When applied to environmental samples, the assay can detect as low as 0.25 pg fentanyl per inch2 environment surface. Assay turn-around-time is less than 1 hour, with inexpensive equipment needed and potential for high throughput automation or in-field screening. This novel assay has broad potential applications in clinical, environmental, occupational and forensic scenarios by detecting trace amount of fentanyl and its analogs to keep frontline workers safe.

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Zhao, J.-y., Uddin, M., Unsihuay, D., Butler, W., Xia, T. W., Xu, J. Z., Jannetto, P. J., Wang, P., Xia, X.. 2023-11-17. Rapid and Highly Sensitive Detection of Fentanyl and its Analogs by a Novel Chemiluminescence Immunoassay. https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.11.15.567298

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