Rapid diagnostics for monitoring chronic kidney disease aggravated as a post COVID complication

Abstract

The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasing, affecting more than 10 % of the global population. In addition, subclinical inflammation associated with COVID-19 infection leads to a progressive decline in kidney function, resulting in chronic kidney disease. Early intervention in candidates with early-stage CKD may delay, or avert, progression to end-stage complications. It is widely accepted that serum Cystatin C is a reliable and early indicator of CKD. Urinary Cystatin C tends to increase with the progression of kidney malfunctioning. Thus, early detection can lower the morbidity and mortality associated with CKD. This study includes the design of a proteotronic platform for the rapid detection of CKD. Here, we have developed a biosensor that is highly specific to Cystatin C and shows a negligible response to other urinary biomarkers. The sensitivity of the biosensor was 50889.6 µA cm⁻² mg⁻¹ and the limit of detection  for Cystatin C in the sample was calculated as 26 ng mL⁻¹. The stability of the biosensor was studied by measuring the change inthe differential pulse voltammetric current at every month of storage at 4 °C. The biosensor was established to be stable for 12 months, with approximately 10 % loss in the preliminary peak current (Ip) value with storage at 4 °C. Thus, the fabricated proteotronic biosensor exhibited an analytical yet simple approach for point of care diagnostics (POCD) of CKD. The developed POCD is economical and proficient, and will enable CKD management in non-hospitalized patients.