SERS-based immunomagnetic bead for rapid detection of H5N1 influenza virus

Signal-amplified surface-enhanced Raman scattering using core/shell satellite nanoparticles for norovirus detection

The development of an innovative approach is explored to amplify the signal of a surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-based detection system using a novel nanotag: Au@Ag NPs covered by satellite AuNPs and conjugated by 4-mercaptbenzoic acid (4-MBA) as a Raman tag (Au@Ag-MBA-AuNPs). The Au@Ag-MBA-AuNPs nanotags showed strong SERS activities with an enhancement factor in the 108 order of magnitude. This indicates the formation of many hot spots due to the combination of core-shell nanoparticles and satellite AuNPs on the surface of Au@Ag-MBA NPs. The newly fabricated nanotags were employed in a small-sized Palmtop Raman spectrometer. A concentration-dependent increase in SERS intensity was observed in the norovirus-like particle (NoV-LP) concentration range 10 fg/mL to 100 pg/mL with a detection limit of 0.76 fg/mL. Even in the severe interfering matrices, this detection method's coefficient of variation was less than 10%. This detection system was approximately 107 times more sensitive than commercially available ELISA kits. Norovirus in clinical samples was detected over a wide concentration range of 1.0 × 101 - 1.0 × 106 RNA copy number/mL with a detection limit of 7.8 RNA copy number/mL, indicating sensitivity comparable to real-time PCR. These results suggest that this detection system is stable in a complex matrix and has the potential for detecting norovirus in clinical samples with a small Palmtop Raman spectrometer.

Label-Free and Colorimetric Detection of Influenza A Virus via Receptor-Mediated Viral Fusion with Plasmonic Vesicles

The rapid transmission and numerous re-emerging human influenza virus variants that spread via the respiratory system have led to severe global damage, emphasizing the need for detection tools that can recognize active and intact virions with infectivity. Here, this work presents a plasmonic vesicle-mediated fusogenic immunoassay (PVFIA) comprising gold nanoparticle (GNP) encapsulating fusogenic polymeric vesicles (plasmonic vesicles; PVs) for the label-free and colorimetric detection of influenza A virus (IAV). The PVFIA combines two sequential assays: a biochip-based immunoassay for target-specific capture and a PV-induced fusion assay for color change upon the IAV-PV fusion complex formation. The PVFIA demonstrates excellent specificity in capturing the target IAV, while the fusion conditions and GNP induce a significant color change, enabling visual detection. The integration of two consecutive assays results in a low detection limit (100.7919 EID50 mL-1 ) and good reliability (0.9901), indicating sensitivity that is 104.208 times higher than conventional immunoassay. Leveraging the PV viral membrane fusion activity renders the PVFIA promising for point-of-care diagnostics through colorimetric detection. The innovative approach addresses the critical need for detecting active and intact virions with infectivity, providing a valuable tool with which to combat the spread of the virus.

Highly Sensitive Magnetic-Nanoparticle-Based Immunochromatography Assay for Rapid Detection of Amantadine in Chicken and Eggs

Amantadine (AMD) is an antiviral drug that is prohibited for use in livestock and poultry. In this study, carboxyl-modified magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were synthesized using the solvothermal method in one step with harmless and inexpensive regents, and they were used to label monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) of AMD in microwells with electrostatic adsorption. Then, a magnetic immunochromatography assay (MICA) method was successfully established. Under optimal conditions, the MICA showed a good performance, with a linear range of 0.2~10.0 µg/L. The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.068 µg/L with the instrument, and the visual LOD (vLOD) was 0.5 µg/L. There was no cross-reaction with rimantadine and ribavirin. The vLOD in real samples was 1.0 µg/kg. The developed MICA has the advantages of convenience, speed, and sensitivity, which make it suitable for the on-site rapid detection of AMD residues in chicken tissues and eggs.

Solid-Phase Optical Sensing Techniques for Sensitive Virus Detection

Viral infections can pose a major threat to public health by causing serious illness, leading to pandemics, and burdening healthcare systems. The global spread of such infections causes disruptions to every aspect of life including business, education, and social life. Fast and accurate diagnosis of viral infections has significant implications for saving lives, preventing the spread of the diseases, and minimizing social and economic damages. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based techniques are commonly used to detect viruses in the clinic. However, PCR has several drawbacks, as highlighted during the recent COVID-19 pandemic, such as long processing times and the requirement for sophisticated laboratory instruments. Therefore, there is an urgent need for fast and accurate techniques for virus detection. For this purpose, a variety of biosensor systems are being developed to provide rapid, sensitive, and high-throughput viral diagnostic platforms, enabling quick diagnosis and efficient control of the virus's spread. Optical devices, in particular, are of great interest due to their advantages such as high sensitivity and direct readout. The current review discusses solid-phase optical sensing techniques for virus detection, including fluorescence-based sensors, surface plasmon resonance (SPR), surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), optical resonators, and interferometry-based platforms. Then, we focus on an interferometric biosensor developed by our group, the single-particle interferometric reflectance imaging sensor (SP-IRIS), which has the capability to visualize single nanoparticles, to demonstrate its application for digital virus detection.