Detecting toxic shock syndrome toxins

Abstract

According to an embodiment, a method of producing (e.g., making) a membrane for detecting toxic shock syndrome toxins includes depositing a second antibody on a first zone of the membrane. The second antibody is reactive with an antibody complex to cause a first indication. The antibody complex includes a first antibody coupled to a TSST-1 antigen. The method also includes depositing a third antibody on a second zone of the membrane. The third antibody is reactive with a fourth antibody to cause a second indication.

1 . A method of manufacturing a membrane for detecting toxic shock syndrome toxins (TSST), the method comprising:
 depositing a second antibody on a first zone of a membrane, wherein the second antibody is reactive with an antibody complex to cause a first indication, and wherein the antibody complex includes a first antibody coupled to a TSST one (TSST-1) antigen; and   depositing a third antibody on a second zone of the membrane, wherein the third antibody is reactive with a fourth antibody to cause a second indication.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first antibody comprises a first particular antibody coupled to a first particle, the first particle being configured to cause the first indication responsive to a reaction between the second antibody and the antibody complex; and   the fourth antibody comprises a second particular antibody coupled to a second particle, the second particle being configured to cause the second indication responsive to a reaction between the third antibody and the second particular antibody.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the first particle comprises an enzyme, colored latex, gold, a fluorescent material, or a magnetic material, and wherein the first indication includes a color change, a fluorescent response, or a magnetic response. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first antibody and the fourth antibody comprises a monovalent antibody, a polyvalent antibody, a monospecific antibody, a monoclonal antibody, or a combination thereof, wherein the second antibody is immobilized, and wherein the third antibody is an anti-antibody associated with the fourth antibody. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising coupling the membrane to a pad, the pad including the first antibody and the fourth antibody. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 coupling the pad to a sample pad, wherein the sample pad receives fluid and channels the fluid to the pad; and   coupling the membrane to a wick pad, wherein the pad and the membrane channel the fluid to the wick pad, and wherein the wick pad absorbs and stores the fluid.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising inserting the pad and the membrane into at least one of a testing strip, a testing device, or a composite article. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the testing device is configured to output a notification, wherein the notification indicates a concentration of TSST-1 antigens in the first zone, indicates that a threshold amount of TSST-1 antigens are present in the first zone, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         9 . A method of manufacturing a membrane for detecting toxic shock syndrome toxins (TSST), the method comprising:
 depositing a second antibody on a first zone of a membrane, wherein the second antibody is reactive with an antibody complex to cause a first indication, wherein the antibody complex includes a first antibody coupled to a TSST one (TSST-1) antigen, wherein the first antibody comprises a first particular antibody coupled to a first particle, and the first particle comprises an enzyme, colored latex, gold, a fluorescent material, or a magnetic material; and   depositing a third antibody on a second zone of the membrane, wherein the third antibody is reactive with a fourth antibody to cause a second indication, and wherein the fourth antibody comprises a second particular antibody.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the second particular antibody is coupled to a second particle, wherein the first particle is configured to cause the first indication responsive to a reaction between the second antibody and the antibody complex, and wherein the second particle is configured to cause the second indication responsive to a reaction between the third antibody and the second particular antibody. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the first indication includes a color change, a fluorescent response, or a magnetic response. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein each of the first antibody and the fourth antibody comprises a monovalent antibody, a polyvalent antibody, a monospecific antibody, a monoclonal antibody, or a combination thereof, wherein the second antibody is immobilized, and wherein the third antibody is an anti-antibody associated with the fourth antibody. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising coupling the membrane to a pad, the pad including the first antibody and the fourth antibody. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 coupling the pad to a sample pad, wherein the sample pad receives fluid and channels the fluid to the pad; and   coupling the membrane to a wick pad, wherein the pad and the membrane channel the fluid to the wick pad, and wherein the wick pad absorbs and stores the fluid.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising inserting the pad and the membrane into at least one of a testing strip, a testing device, or a composite article. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the testing device is configured to output a notification, wherein the notification indicates a concentration of TSST-1 antigens in the first zone, indicates that a threshold amount of TSST-1 antigens are present in the first zone, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         17 . A method of manufacturing a membrane for detecting toxic shock syndrome toxins (TSST), the method comprising:
 depositing a second antibody on a first zone of a membrane, wherein the second antibody is reactive with an antibody complex to cause a first indication, wherein the antibody complex includes a first antibody coupled to a TSST one (TSST-1) antigen, wherein the first antibody comprises a first particular antibody coupled to a first particle, and the first particle comprises an enzyme, colored latex, gold, a fluorescent material, or a magnetic material;   depositing a third antibody on a second zone of the membrane, wherein the third antibody is reactive with a fourth antibody to cause a second indication, and wherein the fourth antibody comprises a second particular antibody; and   coupling the membrane to a pad, the pad including the first antibody and the fourth antibody.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 coupling the pad to a sample pad, wherein the sample pad receives fluid and channels the fluid to the pad; and   coupling the membrane to a wick pad, wherein the pad and the membrane channel the fluid to the wick pad, and wherein the wick pad absorbs and stores the fluid.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising inserting the pad and the membrane into at least one of a testing strip, a testing device, or a composite article. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the testing device is configured to output a notification, wherein the notification indicates a concentration of TSST-1 antigens in the first zone, indicates that a threshold amount of TSST-1 antigens are present in the first zone, or a combination thereof.