Dengue virus (DENV) is a highly pathogenic, arthropod-borne virus transmitted between\npeople by Aedes mosquitoes. Despite efforts to prevent global spread, the potential for DENV\nepidemics is increasing world-wide. Annually, 3.6 billion people are at risk of infection. With no\nlicensed vaccine, early diagnosis of dengue infection is critical for clinical management and patient\nsurvival. Detection of DENV non-structural protein 1 (NS1) is a clinically accepted biomarker for\nthe early detection of DENV infection. Unfortunately, virtually all of the laboratory and commercial\nDENV NS1 diagnostic methods require a blood draw for sample analysis, limiting point-of-care\ndiagnostics and decreases patient willingness. Alternatively, NS1 in human saliva has been identified\nfor the potential early diagnosis of DENV infection. The collection of saliva is simple, non-invasive,\npainless, and inexpensive, even by minimally trained personnel. In this study, we present a label-free\nchemiresistive immunosensor for the detection of the DENV NS1 protein utilizing a network\nof single-walled carbon nanotubes functionalized with anti-dengue NS1 monoclonal antibodies.\nNS1 was successfully detected in adulterated artificial human saliva over the range of clinically\nrelevant concentrations with high sensitivity and selectivity. It has potential application in clinical\ndiagnosis and the ease of collection allows for self-testing, even within the home.
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