Point-of-care detection of Monkeypox virus clades using high-performance upconversion nanoparticle-based lateral flow...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Diagnostics
• Nanotechnology in Medicine
• Infectious Disease Detection

Background:

• Distinguishing Monkeypox virus (MPXV) clades is critical due to differences in transmissibility and clinical outcomes.
• Existing point-of-care testing (POCT) methods lack the sensitivity and specificity required for rapid clade differentiation.
• Developing regions and underserved areas urgently need accessible diagnostic tools for MPXV.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a high-performance upconversion nanoparticles-based lateral flow assay (UCNPs-based LFA) for MPXV clade differentiation.
• To enable both qualitative and quantitative dual-mode detection of MPXV clades.
• To provide a rapid, sensitive, and user-friendly POCT method suitable for resource-limited settings.

Main Methods:

• Construction of a UCNPs-based LFA targeting specific complement protein gene fragments of two MPXV clades.
• Incorporation of double T-lines and a shared C-line for distinct clade identification.
• Integration with a smartphone and a benchtop fluorescence analyzer for dual-mode readout.

Main Results:

• The developed UCNPs-based LFA demonstrated stable performance and convenient operation.
• Rapid readout was achieved within 8 minutes.
• A significantly low limit of detection (LOD) in the picomolar (pM) range was achieved, surpassing existing POCT methods.
• The assay successfully enabled dual-mode (qualitative and quantitative) detection.

Conclusions:

• The UCNPs-based LFA presents a promising POCT platform for accurate MPXV clade diagnosis.
• This assay has significant potential for pathogen detection in resource-limited and underserved regions.
• The developed technology advances the field of rapid, sensitive, and dual-mode diagnostic tools for infectious diseases.