A novel gold nanosensor and ‘Blockade-of-Binding’ based immunochromatographic rapid antigen test kit for Zika virus

Abstract

The present study relates to the development of an immunochromatographic, antigen test kit for rapid detection of Zika virus using stable gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Herein, we have developed an alternate viral NS1 antigen (Ag) based rapid test that uses monoclonal antibody (Mab) pairs to detect ZIKV without cross-reactivity in 5 min. To mask the non-specific results, the “Blockade of Binding' assay was employed in lateral flow kits. Also, for better performance of kits, a sample pad having an absorption capacity of 20 µl/cm2 was utilized. Herein, AuNPs-ZIKA NS1 Mab is capable of binding to specific sites of the Zika antigen. Anti-DENV-MAb is capable of binding to a specific site for Dengue, anti-CHKV-Mab is capable of binding to a specific site for Chikungunya, ZIKA NS1 Mab is capable of binding to anti-ZIKA NS1 Mab and GAM Mab is capable of binding to leftover anti-ZIKA NS1 MAb. The kit was found to be stable for 12 months while its specificity and sensitivity were found to be 95.83% and 100%, respectively.