Oxygen-Vacancy-Engineered WO_X Nanowire-Based Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Biosensor with Lyophilized...

The outbreak of Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) has caused widespread acute morbidity with severe polyarthralgia or chronic arthritis, placing a great challenge to public health and socioeconomic development. Establishing a rapid and highly sensitive detection technology is crucial for achieving precise control and prevention. Here, we established a CRISPR/Cas13a-mediated SERS lateral flow immunoassay platform for rapid and highly sensitive detection of CHIKV. One-dimensional nanowires loading Au nanoparticles were used to prepare SERS tags, presenting excellent SERS-enhanced performances and superior applicability to directional flow on the test strip. For the best performance, the structure of WO_X nanowires was regulated by adjusting the addition concentration of ascorbic acid during the synthesis process, resulting in a stronger LSPR effect derived from more Au NPs in situ grown on highly reducing WO_X. Furthermore, the lyophilized CRISPR/Cas system greatly simplified the workflow. In the optimal conditions, the limit of detection reached 0.56 and 1.03 copies/μL for the CHIKV plasmid and inactivated viruses by this method, respectively. Furthermore, 34 clinical serum samples were accurately diagnosed by our proposed method, 100% consistent with qPCR. This platform with the advantages of simple operation and rapid response provides a reliable technical tool for the early precise identification and efficient monitoring of CHIKV.