Files and links (1)
Application of chimeric antigens to paper-based diagnostics for detection of West Nile virus infections of Crocodylus porosus – A novel animal test case3.16 MB
Published VersionCC BY V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
Application of chimeric antigens to paper-based diagnostics for detection of West Nile virus infections of Crocodylus porosus – A novel animal test case
Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, Vol.422, pp.1-11
2025
Abstract
Laboratory-based diagnostics such as plaque reduction neutralisation tests (PRNT) and ELISA are commonly used to detect seroconversion to flavivirus infections. However, faster, qualitative screening methods are essential for quicker diagnosis and improved patient outcomes. Lateral flow assays (LFAs) offer rapid results (5–15 mins) at the point-of-care, but few commercial flavivirus antibody detection LFAs are available.
We developed an LFA using novel chimeric viral antigens produced by genetically modifying the mosquito restricted Binjari virus (BinJV) to display the outer virion proteins of pathogenic viruses like West Nile virus (WNV). The BinJV chimeric platform offers several advantages for diagnostic assay development, including rapid construction of new chimeras in response to emerging viral variants, safe, scalable antigen manufacturing, and structural indistinguishability to the wild-type pathogenic virion.
To demonstrate feasibility, we applied the chimeric WNV (BinJV/WNV) antigen to LFA as the capture/test line reagent for detecting seroconversion in crocodilians to WNV – a virus affecting crocodilians across multiple continents. We confirmed the antigenic conservation of the chimera on the LFA detection surface using monoclonal antibodies. Utilising well-characterised sera (n=60) from WNV-seropositive or flavivirus-naive Australian saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus), the assay exhibited 98.8 % sensitivity and 100 % specificity, with results obtained in under 15 minutes. The LFA also accurately detected seroconversion in animals experimentally infected with WNV.
This qualitative screening method can be performed both inside and outside of a laboratory, and the assay design will guide the optimisation of similar tests for detecting vector-borne viral infections in humans and other animals.
Details
- Title
- Application of chimeric antigens to paper-based diagnostics for detection of West Nile virus infections of Crocodylus porosus – A novel animal test case
- Authors
- Ryan A. Johnston - The University of QueenslandGervais Habarugira - The University of QueenslandJessica J. Harrison - The University of QueenslandSally R. Isberg - Centre for Crocodile Research (Australia)Jasmin Moran - Centre for Crocodile Research (Australia)Mahali S. Morgan - The University of QueenslandSteven S. Davis - Northern Territory Department of Industry Tourism and TradeLorna Melville - Northern Territory Department of Industry Tourism and TradeChristopher B. Howard - The University of QueenslandCharles S. Henry - Colorado State UniversityJoanne Macdonald - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Centre for BioinnovationHelle Bielefeldt-Ohmann - The University of QueenslandRoy A. Hall - The University of QueenslandJody Hobson-Peters (Corresponding Author) - The University of Queensland
- Publication details
- Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, Vol.422, pp.1-11
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Date published
- 2025
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.snb.2024.136611
- ISSN
- 1873-3077; 0925-4005
- Copyright note
- © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
- Data Availability
- Data will be made available on request.
- Grant note
- This study was funded by an Advance Queensland Industry Research Fellowship (AQIRF067–2020-CV) to J H-P, Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia grant (CRC-DNA, 2018–20; S.R.I., J.H.-P., R.A.H., and H.B.-O.) and an Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre seed grant to J H-P and C.H.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Centre for Bioinnovation
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991066766302621
- Output Type
- Journal article
Metrics
1 File views/ downloads
55 Record Views
InCites Highlights
These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Chemistry, Analytical
- Electrochemistry
- Instruments & Instrumentation
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
Source: InCites