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Colorimetric Detection of Unamplified Rift Valley Fever Virus Genetic Material Using Unmodified Gold Nanoparticles

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Abstract

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is considered an enzootic virus in Africa. RVFV has caused several outbreaks in Egypt, sub-Saharan Africa and the Arabian Peninsula and is responsible for high mortality in ruminants and haemorrhagic fever in severe human cases. Although there are several molecular and serological diagnostic techniques used to detect this arthropod-borne virus with high sensitivity and efficiency, there is a need for a fast and reliable field screening test for rapid outbreak recording and containment. In this study, we developed a prototype point-of-care diagnostic test specific for RVFV detection using unmodified gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) that change colour in the presence of RVFV RNA, resulting in a simple but sensitive assay. The nanogold assay provides qualitative results showing the presence of the RVFV RNA in different sample types. The assay showed high accuracy and specificity, with a detection limit of 10 RNA copies/reaction, comparable with quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The assay result could be determined within 30 min with no need for specific detection instruments. To our knowledge, this is the first field test prototype to directly detect the RNA of RVFV without amplification using AuNPs.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Dr. James Allen from the AuthorAid organisation for extensive paper editing and language proofreading.

Funding

No funding was received for this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Genome Research Unit, Animal Health Research Institute, Giza, Egypt

    Mostafa R. Zaher & Hanaa A. Ahmed

  2. Veterinary Serum and Vaccine Research Institute, Giza, Egypt

    Kareem E. Z. Hamada

  3. Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt

    Reham H. Tammam

Authors
  1. Mostafa R. Zaher
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  2. Hanaa A. Ahmed
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  3. Kareem E. Z. Hamada
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  4. Reham H. Tammam
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Correspondence to Mostafa R. Zaher.

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Zaher, M.R., Ahmed, H.A., Hamada, K.E.Z. et al. Colorimetric Detection of Unamplified Rift Valley Fever Virus Genetic Material Using Unmodified Gold Nanoparticles. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 184, 898–908 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12010-017-2592-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12010-017-2592-3

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