A label-free immunoassay for Flavivirus detection by the Reflective Phantom Interface technology

Area of Science:

• Virology and Immunology
• Medical Diagnostics
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Flaviviruses cause significant arboviral diseases globally, presenting diagnostic challenges due to undetectable viraemia at symptom onset.
• Current serological diagnostics are hampered by cross-reactivity between flavivirus species, complicating accurate identification.
• The need for rapid, reliable, multi-parametric point-of-care diagnostic tests is critical due to vector distribution, travel, and symptom overlap.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel bi-parametric serological microarray for the simultaneous detection of antibodies against key flaviviruses.
• To utilize a low-cost, label-free detection system for enhanced point-of-care diagnostic capabilities.
• To assess the feasibility of the developed assay for flavivirus surveillance and diagnosis.

Main Methods:

• Development of a bi-parametric serological microarray employing recombinant NS1 proteins from Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) and West Nile virus (WNV).
• Integration of the microarray with a label-free detection device based on the Reflective Phantom Interface (RPI) principle.
• Evaluation of the assay's performance through specific sequential antibody detection in solution.

Main Results:

• Successful development of a bi-parametric microarray capable of detecting antibodies against TBEV and WNV.
• Demonstration of label-free, low-cost detection using the RPI principle.
• Achieved specific sequential detection of antibodies, validating the assay's diagnostic potential.

Conclusions:

• The developed bi-parametric serological microarray represents a feasible approach for the surveillance and diagnosis of flaviviruses.
• This point-of-care diagnostic tool addresses limitations of existing methods, offering improved specificity and speed.
• The technology holds promise for timely disease management and public health interventions in affected regions.