Ultrasensitive Detection of Hepatitis C Virus DNA Subtypes Based on Cucurbituril and Graphene Oxide Nano-composite

Infectious of hepatitis C viruses(HCVs) lead to hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis even hepatoma. Developing rapid and sensitive diagnostic method for HCV is of great importance. Based on the host-and-guest interaction between cucurbit[7]uril(CB[7]) and methylene blue(MB), a CB[7]-graphene nano-composite(CB[7]-N3-GO) is raised for the electrochemical detection of HCV DNA. The method is able to linearly detect the HCV nucleic acid in the range of 0.2–10 nmol/L with detection limit as low as 160.4 pmol/L. The proposed detection strategy is able to discriminate the 1b and 6k subtypes of HCV and has a prospective potential in the blood screen for HCV in clinical diagnosis.