Researchers at the University of California, Davis have developed the first-ever rapid test for monkeypox, a rare but potentially deadly virus that affects both humans and animals. Monkeypox, which is similar to smallpox, first emerged in humans in 1970 but has only recently received widespread attention due to outbreaks in central and West Africa. The new rapid test promises to be a game-changer in the fight against the disease, allowing healthcare workers to quickly and accurately diagnose cases and help contain the spread of the virus. Read on to learn about the development of this groundbreaking new technology and its potential to save lives.
Penn State researchers have developed the first rapid test for monkeypox, or mpox, which can detect the virus within minutes. Current tests require healthcare providers to swab lesions and send the samples to labs, which can take several days. The new technique uses nanomaterials heterostructures, zero-dimensional spherical gold nanoparticles and two-dimensional hafnium disulfide nanoplatelets, to create a platform technology suitable for detecting trace amounts of genetic materials in biological samples. Plasmonic nanoparticles, tiny metallic particles with unique optical properties, are used in the technology, and the zero-dimensional gold nanoparticle and two-dimensional hafnium sulfide interact to form heterostructures that function as highly accurate sensors.
Monkeypox virus is transmitted primarily through close physical contact and causes a disease with symptoms similar to smallpox, although less severe. Current therapeutics and two-dose vaccines remain insufficient at stopping contagion, leaving rapid diagnosis as the only option for disease containment. PCR is the only available FDA-approved test known for mpox, despite its limitations of complex sample collection, transportation, and insufficient access to advanced instrumental facilities. A rapid test, requiring only a small sample of lesion swab and short wait time for results, could dramatically slow the rate of transmission for the virus.
The researchers are now testing the system against a panel of other pathogens to confirm its broad applicability for viral detection. Once the test is validated clinically, they will look for commercial partners to bring the technology to market. The lab is also exploring modifications of the molecules used for targeting the genetic sequences to specifically detect other viruses, bacteria, or fungi using the same method. The technology can help us to prepare for the next epidemic or pandemic. The research was recently reported in the journal Advanced Functional Materials.
“In terms of how we manage the virus, this is a major breakthrough, as it is the first rapid test for mpox,” said Dipanjan Pan, Penn State’s Dorothy Foehr Huck & J. Lloyd Huck Chair Professor in Nanomedicine, who led the study. “While current caseloads are relatively low, as the weather warms and people become more active, cases could spike as they did last summer. But it’s also important to note that this new technology can help us to prepare for the next epidemic or even pandemic.”
In conclusion, the development of the first rapid test for monkeypox is a significant breakthrough in the fight against this contagious disease. The test will enable healthcare providers to diagnose the disease quickly, leading to prompt treatment and containment of the virus. Furthermore, countries experiencing outbreaks of monkeypox can now promptly identify cases, contain the spread of the virus and limit its impact on public health. As the world continues to tackle emerging and re-emerging diseases, we can look forward to more groundbreaking innovations that will help us combat infectious diseases.
