Rapid, Portable, Multiplexed Detection of Harmful Algal Toxins in Lake Erie

Cyanobacterial blooms are an issue in waters around the globe and have enormous environmental, economic, and human health impacts. These blooms potentially produce various hepatotoxins (microcystin, cylindrospermopsin) and neurotoxins (saxitoxin, anatoxin). The standard method for testing affected waters for toxins is by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). This method can be time consuming, expensive, and require training and equipment to perform. Recently, a rapid, portable multiplexed assay has been developed by LightDeck Diagnostics to test for toxins quickly and easily in the field. We conducted a study to compare cyanotoxin detection between LightDeck and ELISA methods, utilizing a network of researchers and community science groups to sample widely throughout Lake Erie, with sampling locations covering the southern half of the lake. Two varying versions of the LightDeck assay were evaluated. Overall, we found the current formulation had fewer false positives and was more consistent when compared to ELISA. We continue to evaluate performance of LightDeck technology in detecting and quantifying cyanotoxin levels, including the effects of lysis method. While the ELISA assay remains the gold standard, the advantages of speed, expense and limited user expertise suggest that the LightDeck assay could play an increasing role in detection of toxic blooms.