We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
PURITAN MEDICAL

Download Mobile App




Events

09 Apr 2024 - 12 Apr 2024
15 Apr 2024 - 17 Apr 2024
23 Apr 2024 - 26 Apr 2024

Simple Affordable Diagnostic Kit Developed for Chikungunya

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 11 Nov 2015
Print article
Image: Transmission electron micrograph of numerous Chikungunya virus particles which are composed of a central dense core surrounded by a viral envelope ((Photo courtesy of Cynthia Goldsmith).
Image: Transmission electron micrograph of numerous Chikungunya virus particles which are composed of a central dense core surrounded by a viral envelope ((Photo courtesy of Cynthia Goldsmith).
Chikungunya (CHIKV), a mosquito-borne illness that while not often deadly causes severe, incapacitating and often chronic joint pain, is spreading globally and it can be difficult to diagnose and most tests available now are expensive and challenging to develop.

An innovative approach has been developed for the production of alphavirus antigens for use in diagnostic assays that results in reduced production complexity as well as improved sensitivity in application. The insect-specific nature of these chimeric viruses yields an advantageous safety profile and allows for safe handling of the antigen at the bench top.

Scientists at the University of Texas Medical Branch (Galveston, TX, USA) and their colleagues were able to use another mosquito-borne virus that had remained largely unknown and unstudied to create the new test that could help doctors and investigators diagnose and track the spread of chikungunya. The formerly unknown virus, now named Eilat virus (EILV), is related to chikungunya and other mosquito-borne viruses and was collected in Israel's Negev Desert about three decades ago. The virus will only replicate in mosquitoes, which makes it harmless to humans and other vertebrates.

The team worked with the private commercial laboratory InBios International (Seattle, WA, USA), and used the Eilat virus-based chimera to create a safe and simple-to-use diagnostic test. Health care professionals are able to take the serum of those suspected of being infected with chikungunya and, using the diagnostic test kit created in conjunction with InBios, have a result in less than two hours. To test the assay for immunoglobulin (IgM) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) positive controls, a panel of five IgM/ELISA and plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT)-positive convalescent sera obtained from patients diagnosed by reverse transcriptase-PCR with CHIKV infection was used. Eight human serum samples positive for either Dengue virus (DENV) or Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) but negative for CHIKV by hemagglutination inhibition (HI) were used as negative controls. Absorbance values for ELISAs were read at 450 nm on a VERSAmax tunable microplate reader (Molecular Devices; Sunnyvale, CA, USA).

Anti-CHIKV IgM was readily detected with OD values ranging from 0.23 to 3.0, whereas the negative controls yielded a mean OD value of 0.09. The scientists were able to demonstrate that EILV/CHIKV replicates to high titers in insect cells and can be applied directly in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays without inactivation, resulting in highly sensitive detection of recent and past CHIKV infection, and outperforming traditional antigen preparations. They were also able to show that that their anti-CHIKV IgM and IgG ELISAs can distinguish between human infections caused by CHIKV and VEEV or DENV with a high degree of signal separation. The study was published on October 22, 2015, in the journal Public Library of Science Neglected Tropical Diseases.

Related Links:

University of Texas Medical Branch 
InBios International
Molecular Devices 


Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
One Step HbA1c Measuring System
GREENCARE A1c
POCT Fluorescent Immunoassay Analyzer
FIA Go
New
Gold Member
TORCH Panel Rapid Test
Rapid TORCH Panel Test

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: Reaching speeds up to 6,000 RPM, this centrifuge forms the basis for a new type of inexpensive, POC biomedical test (Photo courtesy of Duke University)

POC Biomedical Test Spins Water Droplet Using Sound Waves for Cancer Detection

Exosomes, tiny cellular bioparticles carrying a specific set of proteins, lipids, and genetic materials, play a crucial role in cell communication and hold promise for non-invasive diagnostics.... Read more

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: The cobas Malaria test is the first FDA-approved molecular test to screen U.S. blood donors for malaria (Photo courtesy of Roche)

First FDA-Approved Molecular Test to Screen Blood Donors for Malaria Could Improve Patient Safety

Malaria, a serious illness that often leads to death, is spread by a specific mosquito species that infect humans with a parasite. Other transmission modes include blood transfusions, organ transplants,... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The low-cost portable device rapidly identifies chemotherapy patients at risk of sepsis (Photo courtesy of 52North Health)

POC Finger-Prick Blood Test Determines Risk of Neutropenic Sepsis in Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Neutropenia, a decrease in neutrophils (a type of white blood cell crucial for fighting infections), is a frequent side effect of certain cancer treatments. This condition elevates the risk of infections,... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: The medical office procedure detects the key biomarker in Parkinson’s and related neurodegenerative diseases (Photo courtesy of BIDMC)

Simple Skin Biopsy Test Detects Parkinson’s and Related Neurodegenerative Diseases

Parkinson's disease and a group of related neurodegenerative disorders known as synucleinopathies impact millions globally. These conditions, including Parkinson’s disease (PD), dementia with Lewy bodies... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.