Highly efficient nickel-based metal atom cluster/metal oxide microsensors for the rapid and accurate screening of Helicobacter pylori infection

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a prevalent bacterium that infects the stomach, can cause numerous gastric diseases, and potentially result in stomach cancer. Current H. pylori detection methods have various limitations; thus, to streamline H. pylori detection, we developed an electrochemical microsensor featuring Ni-based atom cluster (AC)/oxide nanocomposite catalysts for direct biomarker identification. By incorporating Ni ACs and transforming Ni oxides into an ultrathin, porous structure, the resulting material exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity. In particular, it enabled the detection of urease, a biomarker specific to H. pylori , at concentrations as low as 10 ng/mL. The fabricated Ni AC/NiO@laser-etched graphene (LEG) electrochemical microsensor demonstrated excellent sensitivity and specificity in detecting urease within the concentration range of 10–100 ng/mL. Moreover, its accuracy in analyzing clinical samples matched that of commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits, highlighting its potential as a platform for both the personal health monitoring and clinical diagnosis of H. pylori infection. This microsensor exhibited excellent sensitivity and precision and rapid recognition with intuitive operation and ease of use. It holds considerable promise in enhancing and improving medical diagnostics by providing timely and accurate information, enabling earlier interventions, and improving patient outcomes.