All-Serotype Dengue Virus Detection through Multilayered Origami-Based Paper/Polymer Microfluidics

Area of Science:

• Medical Diagnostics
• Biotechnology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Dengue virus (DENV) causes millions of infections globally, necessitating early detection for effective management.
• Traditional laboratory testing for DENV is costly, time-consuming, and inaccessible in many regions.
• Existing diagnostic methods face challenges in resource-limited settings, leading to delays in diagnosis and treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a rapid, low-cost, point-of-care diagnostic tool for detecting all four dengue virus serotypes.
• To address the limitations of current DENV diagnostic methods in resource-constrained environments.
• To create a user-friendly device for early dengue detection and disease surveillance.

Main Methods:

• Development of a multiplex paper/polymer-based detection strip.
• Integration with a portable, all-in-one device for nucleic acid isolation, isothermal amplification, and colorimetric analysis.
• Testing with human blood serum for detection of all four DENV serotypes.

Main Results:

• The developed device provides results in approximately 30 minutes from a 50 μL blood serum sample.
• The test demonstrates high specificity and sensitivity in detecting all four DENV serotypes.
• The ultralow-cost test aligns with WHO guidelines for community-level dissemination.

Conclusions:

• The novel point-of-care device offers a rapid and affordable solution for early dengue virus detection.
• This technology can significantly improve dengue surveillance and patient management in hyperendemic regions.
• The user-friendly interface facilitates widespread use in community centers for timely medical intervention.