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The Analytical Scientist / Issues / 2024 / Dec / Meeting Mpox Where It’s At
Clinical Sensors

Meeting Mpox Where It’s At

New optical biosensor offers mpox virus detection in 20 minutes

By Helen Bristow 12/17/2024 1 min read

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Mpox continues to sweep a deadly course through African nations, including the Democratic Republic of Congo. PCR remains the only approved diagnostic test, but faster testing – ideally at the point of care – is urgently required to more effectively manage patients with the fast-spreading disease.

With that need in mind, engineers at Boston University, USA, have developed a new optical biosensor technology – pixel diversity interferometric reflectance imaging sensor (PD-IRIS) – that has demonstrated significant improvements in detecting the mpox virus (MPXV) over existing sensors. The innovation, detailed in Biosensors and Bioelectronics, shows potential as a rapid – and cost-effective – diagnostic platform for point-of-care settings.

Credit: Adobe Stock (edited)

The PD-IRIS system can detect intact MPXV particles with a sensitivity nine times greater than a standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), achieving a limit of detection of 200 PFU/mL (~3.3 attomolar). How? PD-IRIS uses monoclonal antibodies targeting the MPXV A29 protein – a highly conserved viral membrane antigen.

Moreover, the system uses multi-spectral illumination to capture the optical signatures of viral particles in a single snapshot, which enables the completion of the entire assay, including sample preparation, within 20 minutes.

Specificity tests confirmed PD-IRIS could differentiate MPXV from closely related cowpox virus and herpes simplex virus. And additional experiments demonstrated the robustness of the technology across a range of viral concentrations and experimental conditions.

In short, the authors believe that PD-IRIS holds promise for widespread application in Mpox diagnostics, particularly in resource-limited environments. The research team suggests future adaptations could extend the platform to additional pathogens, providing a scalable solution for real-time infectious disease monitoring and control.

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About the Author(s)

Helen Bristow

Combining my dual backgrounds in science and communications to bring you compelling content in your speciality.

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