Researchers develop optical biosensor for rapid monkeypox detection

As the World Health Organisation (WHO) keeps monkeypox on highest alert level even months later, a new research finding has found a convenient method to detect the monkeypox virus easily.
“There is an urgent need for faster and more cost-effective diagnostic tools to curb the spread of mpox and to prepare for the possibility of a future global pandemic. Researchers from University of California San Diego School of Medicine, Boston University, and their colleagues have now developed an

optical biosensor

that can rapidly detect monkeypox, the virus that causes mpox. The technology could allow clinicians to diagnose the disease at the point of care rather than wait for lab results.” University of California San Diego School of Medicine has said in an official statement.
The findings of the study have been published in

Biosensors and Bioelectronics

.

“Individuals with compromised immune systems, such as AIDS patients or infants with underdeveloped immune systems, are particularly vulnerable to mpox. Symptoms of mpox, such as headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, fever, and chills, are typical of other viral infections. Additionally, the skin lesions of mpox can resemble those of chickenpox, herpes, or shingles. Hence, it is crucial to have accurate molecular diagnostic methods to distinguish mpox from these diseases,” said Partha Ray, an associate project scientist at UC San Diego School of Medicine and co-principal investigator on the study.

Talking about the PCR method that is widely used to detect mpox virus, Ray says, PCR is the diagnostic method used to detect mpox clinically. However, PCR requires a dedicated lab and trained personnel to perform the assay. Consequently, the turnaround time for results is extended. Additionally, the prices of PCR tests need to be more affordable for resource-poor areas.

How does this optical biosensor work?

We used a monoclonal antibody against an MPXV (monkeypox virus) surface protein to capture the whole virus particles on the sensor’s chip. Notably, our digital detection technology can identify the virus without preprocessing steps. The captured mAb—MPXV nanoparticles were detected using a novel interferometry-based optical sensor, PD-IRIS (Pixel-Diversity Interferometric Reflectance Imaging Sensor). The digital detection platform detected MPXV at a limit of detection (LOD) of 200 PFU/mL within 20 minutes in real time. Additionally, we demonstrated that our system’s sensitivity was superior to that of the ELISA assay, which is the gold standard of laboratory-based antigen tests, the co-principal investigator on the study explained.
For the study the researchers used a digital detection platform called Pixel-Diversity interferometric reflectance imaging sensor, or PD-IRIS, to detect the virus.
The scientists also analyzed herpes simplex virus and cowpox virus samples, which have similar clinical presentations to mpox. The biosensor assay easily discriminated mpox samples from these other viruses, demonstrating that the specificity of the assay is essential for distinguishing mpox from these common viral diseases.
“Within two minutes, we can tell whether someone has monkeypox or not,” said Ray. “From collecting the virus samples to getting the real-time data takes around 20 minutes.”