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 hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us

Download Mobile App




Novel Immunochromatographic Method Rapidly Identifies Flaviviruses

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 01 Nov 2017
The recent Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreak demonstrates that cost-effective clinical diagnostics are urgently needed to detect and distinguish viral infections to improve patient care. More...
Unlike dengue virus (DENV), ZIKV infections during pregnancy correlate with severe birth defects, including microcephaly and neurological disorders.

Because ZIKV and DENV are related flaviviruses, their homologous proteins and nucleic acids can cause cross-reactions and false-positive results in molecular, antigenic, and serologic diagnostics. Cross-reactivity among flaviviruses poses a conundrum because the viral protein, NS1, is very similar among dengue and Zika viruses, which are transmitted by the same types of mosquitos.

A large international team of scientists led by those at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Cambridge, MA, USA) characterized monoclonal antibody pairs that have been translated into rapid immunochromatography tests to specifically detect the viral nonstructural 1 (NS1) protein antigen and distinguish the four DENV serotypes (DENV1–4) and ZIKV without cross-reaction. To complement visual test analysis and remove user subjectivity in reading test results, they used image processing and data analysis for data capture and test result quantification.

Overall, they tested 300 Zika combinations and 726 dengue combinations to identify antibody pairs and successfully distinguish between the four dengue serotypes and Zika viruses. The test operates similar to a pregnancy test, taking 10 to 15 minutes to provide an answer. Users add a biological fluid such as blood serum that wicks through the paper strip via capillary action, producing the results.

The team used a 30-μL serum sample, the sensitivity and specificity values of the DENV1–4 tests and the pan-DENV test, which detects all four dengue serotypes, ranged from 0.76 to 1.00. Sensitivity/specificity for the ZIKV rapid test was 0.81/0.86, respectively, using a 150-μL serum input. Serum ZIKV NS1 protein concentrations were about 10-fold lower than corresponding DENV NS1 concentrations in infected patients; moreover, ZIKV NS1 protein was not detected in polymerase chain reaction–positive patient urine samples.

Kimberly Hamad-Schifferli, PhD, an associate professor and co-author of the study said, “Among the four dengue serotypes and with Zika, they are over 70% similar in sequence, making it challenging to find antibodies that do not cross-react. The novel test is self-contained in that it does not require any additional special reagents and can be operated by a non-expert. In addition, it does not require any power for operation or readout.” The study was published on September 27, 2017, in the journal Science Translational Medicine.

Related Links:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology


New
Gold Member
Automatic Hematology Analyzer
DH-800 Series
Collection and Transport System
PurSafe Plus®
New
Silver Member
PCR Plates
Diamond Shell PCR Plates
New
Gold Member
Cardiovascular Risk Test
Metabolic Syndrome Array I & II
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








Channels

Hematology

view channel
Image: New research points to protecting blood during radiation therapy (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Pioneering Model Measures Radiation Exposure in Blood for Precise Cancer Treatments

Scientists have long focused on protecting organs near tumors during radiotherapy, but blood — a vital, circulating tissue — has largely been excluded from dose calculations. Each blood cell passing through... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: The VENTANA HER2 (4B5) test is now CE-IVDR approved (Photo courtesy of Roche)

Companion Diagnostic Test Identifies HER2-Ultralow Breast Cancer and Biliary Tract Cancer Patients

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Europe, with more than 564,000 new cases and 145,000 deaths annually. Metastatic breast cancer is rising in younger populations and remains the leading cause... Read more

Technology

view channel
Image: Conceptual design of the CORAL capsule for microbial sampling in the small intestine (H. Mohammed et al., Device (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.device.2025.100904)

Coral-Inspired Capsule Samples Hidden Bacteria from Small Intestine

The gut microbiome has been linked to conditions ranging from immune disorders to mental health, yet conventional stool tests often fail to capture bacterial populations in the small intestine.... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.