Rapid Detection of Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus via Colloidal Gold Immunochromatography Assay

To develop the point-of-care testing method to facilitate the clinical detection of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV), colloidal gold paper-based lateral flow immunochromatography test strips (LFITSs) have been fabricated for the rapid detection for the first time. The pH value and the amount of monoclonal antibody to prepare colloidal gold nanoparticle-labeled monoclonal antibody bioconjugates were optimized. In addition, 0.4% bovine serum albumin was considered to be the best concentration for blocking nitrocellulose membranes. Under optimal conditions, the limit of detection for SFTSV was as low as 1 ng/mL depending on a visual line. Meanwhile, the entire detection process required no more than 10 min with a volume of only 50 μL of the analyte solution. Moreover, paper-based LFITSs were evaluated in real samples of human serum of patients with satisfactory results. In addition, all strips were of high stability and specificity. In the light of advantages such as simple, portable, rapid, and low cost, the developed LFITSs will extensively come into service, especially in remote areas.