Fluorescence-based biosensors for West Nile virus detection.

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Biotechnology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Flaviviruses, including West Nile virus (WNV), are emerging global health threats, exacerbated by climate change and globalization.
• Arthropod-borne flaviviruses cause significant human, animal, and zoonotic diseases, with WNV posing a particular challenge in Europe.
• Antigenic cross-reactivity among flaviviruses complicates serological diagnosis, especially in regions with co-circulating strains.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop novel biosensors for the specific and sensitive detection of West Nile virus (WNV).
• To create a diagnostic tool capable of distinguishing between different WNV lineages and potentially other flaviviruses.
• To validate the utility of these biosensors in clinical and laboratory settings, including antiviral screening.

Main Methods:

• Engineered WNV biosensors utilizing the enzymatic activity of the viral protease.
• Incorporation of WNV-specific protease cleavage sites into the biosensor design.
• Fluorescence-based detection techniques to quantify viral protease activity post-infection.

Main Results:

• Biosensors demonstrated high specificity for WNV lineages 1 and 2, with low limits of detection (LODs) as low as 10^-6 MOI at 72 hours post-infection.
• The biosensors could detect other flaviviruses like dengue, Zika, and Usutu viruses, albeit with reduced sensitivity.
• Validated assays showed comparable performance to existing systems in neutralization tests and antiviral screening.

Conclusions:

• The developed WNV biosensors are highly specific and sensitive tools for detecting WNV infection.
• These biosensors show promise for broader flavivirus detection and can serve as valuable clinical and laboratory diagnostic instruments.
• The technology offers potential for improved surveillance and management of flaviviral diseases.