A new variant of human monkeypox has been causing deaths in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with approximately 5% of reported cases resulting in fatalities, particularly among children. The outbreak has since spread to other countries, prompting the World Health Organization to declare it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. In addition, a different but less fatal monkeypox variant has sparked an outbreak in more than 100 countries since 2022. There is a critical need for faster and more cost-effective diagnostic tools to combat the spread of monkeypox and prepare for potential global pandemics.
Researchers from the University of California School of Medicine and Boston University, along with their colleagues, have developed an optical biosensor that can quickly detect the virus responsible for monkeypox. This innovation could enable clinicians to diagnose the disease at the point of care instead of waiting for lab results. Currently, monkeypox symptoms such as fever, pain, rashes, and lesions closely resemble those of other viral infections, making it challenging for healthcare providers to differentiate monkeypox from other diseases. The only approved method for diagnosing monkeypox, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), is expensive, requires a laboratory, and can take days or weeks to yield results, presenting challenges in fast-spreading epidemics or pandemics.
The development of a better molecular diagnostic for monkeypox draws on over a decade of research by Professor Selim Ünlü’s lab at Boston University, which has previously created optical biosensors for detecting viruses like Ebola and COVID-19. The study, led by Mete Aslan, a Ph.D. student in electrical and electronics engineering at BU, utilized a digital detection platform called Pixel-Diversity interferometric reflectance imaging sensor (PD-IRIS) to detect the monkeypox virus from samples collected from a patient with confirmed monkeypox. By incubating the samples with monkeypox antibodies and utilizing sophisticated light interference techniques, the biosensor demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing monkeypox from other similar viruses like herpes simplex and cowpox.
The optical biosensor assay was able to differentiate monkeypox samples from other viral diseases within minutes, offering a rapid and accurate diagnostic tool for healthcare providers. This could significantly improve the speed of diagnosing monkeypox cases, especially in regions with limited healthcare resources. The researchers aim to mass-produce the biosensor kits for commercial use, allowing for cost-effective testing for various viruses beyond monkeypox. Collaborative efforts between researchers and government support will be essential to address the urgent need for rapid and accurate diagnostic tests to prevent outbreaks from escalating into pandemics.
Ray and Ünlü are optimistic about the commercialization potential of their biosensor technology, emphasizing the importance of addressing the current monkeypox epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to prevent further global spread. The study’s findings were supported by funding from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. By leveraging advanced diagnostic tools like the optical biosensor, researchers aim to enhance global preparedness for future infectious disease outbreaks and mitigate the impact of emerging threats.
