Electrochemical biosensors for detection of avian influenza virus--current status and future trends

Electrochemical biosensors have emerged as reliable analytical devices suitable for pathogen detection. Low cost, small sample requirement and possibility of miniaturization justifies their increasing development. Thus, we report in this review on the state of the art of avian influenza virus detection with genosensors and immunosensors working by an electrochemical mode. Their working principles focusing on the physical properties of the transducer, the immobilization chemistry, as well as new trends including incorporation of nanoparticles will be presented. Then, we critically review the detection of avian influenza virus in the complex matrices that use electrochemical biosensors and compare them with traditionally applied methods such as ELISA or Western blot.