A new and aggressive variant of human mpox has led to a tragic mortality rate of around 5% among individuals with reported infections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo since 2023, with a significant number of victims being children. This concerning variant has begun to spread internationally, prompting the World Health Organization to declare the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on August 14. In contrast, another mpox variant, which is less lethal, was responsible for an outbreak that has affected over 100 countries since 2022, highlighting the global nature of this health crisis.
In light of the escalating situation, there is an urgent imperative for the development of faster and more economical diagnostic tools to help contain the spread of mpox and to proactively prepare for any potential future global pandemic. Researchers from the University of California School of Medicine, Boston University, and their collaborators have made significant strides by creating an advanced optical biosensor capable of swiftly detecting monkeypox, the pathogen responsible for mpox. This groundbreaking technology has the potential to enable healthcare professionals to diagnose the disease immediately at the point of care, eliminating the need to await laboratory results. The details of their innovative study were published on November 14, 2024, in the esteemed journal Biosensors and Bioelectronics.
In clinical settings, the symptoms associated with mpox—such as fever, pain, rashes, and lesions—often mirror those of various other viral infections, complicating the diagnostic process. Partha Ray, an associate project scientist at UC San Diego School of Medicine and a co-principal investigator on the study, notes, “So just by looking at the patient, it is not easy for clinicians to distinguish monkeypox from these other diseases.” This similarity further underscores the necessity for effective diagnostic solutions.
Currently, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test remains the sole approved method for diagnosing mpox, but it poses significant challenges: it is costly, requires specialized laboratory environments, and can take days or even weeks to deliver results. Ray emphasizes, “A deadly combination when there is a fast-spreading epidemic or pandemic.” This call to action highlights the need for a more effective response strategy.
The quest for superior molecular diagnostics for mpox builds upon over a decade of research spearheaded by Selim Ünlü, a distinguished engineering professor at Boston University. His lab has previously developed optical biosensors capable of detecting various viruses, including those responsible for Ebola and COVID-19. The collaboration with Ray’s team at UC San Diego has brought together biological expertise alongside engineering innovation, proving beneficial for advancing mpox detection technologies.
The study, spearheaded by Mete Aslan, a Ph.D. candidate in electrical and electronics engineering at Boston University, employed a cutting-edge digital detection platform known as Pixel-Diversity interferometric reflectance imaging sensor, or PD-IRIS, to accurately identify the monkeypox virus.
The scientists also analyzed samples from herpes simplex virus and cowpox virus, both of which present similarly to mpox clinically. The biosensor assay demonstrated a remarkable ability to differentiate mpox samples from these other viral infections, substantively illustrating the assay’s crucial specificity in recognizing mpox amidst other diseases.
“Within two minutes, we can tell whether someone has monkeypox or not,” Ray stated, pointing out the rapid nature of their testing process. “From collecting the virus samples to getting the real-time data takes around 20 minutes,” showcasing the efficiency of the new diagnostic tool.
The speed of this test is particularly vital in clinical environments, enabling healthcare providers to diagnose mpox cases much more quickly instead of relying on time-consuming lab submissions. This swift response is crucial for controlling community spread, especially in countries where healthcare resources remain severely limited. Additionally, it would allow clinicians to initiate treatment sooner if available, which could be lifesaving for affected individuals.
Ray envisions a future where these tests are mass-produced as convenient kits sold to clinics, thereby significantly reducing costs. Each boxed kit could potentially be employed to test for a multitude of viruses, including well-known pathogens like syphilis and HIV.
“The chip would be the same,” Ray explained, “The only thing that would be different here is the binding antibody that would be specific for a particular virus.” This indicates a streamlined approach to diagnostics that could revolutionize viral testing.
Ray and Ünlü are diligently collaborating toward commercializing this innovative test, addressing the pressing need for rapid mpox diagnoses in the Democratic Republic of the Congo while concurrently striving to prevent local outbreaks from escalating into widespread pandemics. However, they stress that achieving this goal will necessitate robust government support due to the limited market for diagnostics that counteract future threats.
“If we don’t take care of this particular epidemic right now, it is not going to be limited within Africa,” Ray cautioned, highlighting the global ramifications of ignoring the outbreak.
Additional co-authors on the study include: Howard Brickner, Alex E. Clark, Aaron F. Carlin from UC San Diego; Elif Seymour, iRiS Kinetics, Boston University Business Incubation Center; Michael B. Townsend, Panayampalli S. Satheshkumar from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Iris Celebi from Boston University; Megan Riley from axiVEND.
The study was partially funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health (P30 AI036214), and the National Science Foundation (NSF-TT PFI 2329817), underscoring the importance of collaborative efforts in scientific research.
The Unfortunate Resurrection of Mpox: A Comedy of Errors and Innovations
Ah, monkeypox! Just when we thought it was a case of “fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me,” here we are, grappling with yet another variant that has claimed the lives of around 5% of its victims in the Democratic Republic of the Congo since 2023. And no, this isn’t some novel by a dystopian author; it’s the reality we’re living in! What’s worse? Many of the casualties are children. It’s enough to make you wish for a superhero to swoop in and save the day. Spoiler alert: they haven’t arrived yet. The World Health Organization (WHO) has deemed this outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Because, let’s face it, nothing screams “urgent” like a global pandemic, right?
The Diagnostic Dilemma
Now, with mpox symptoms throwing shades of fever, pain, rashes, and lesions that could make even the hardiest of souls cringe, diagnosing it is about as easy as finding a needle in a haystack. Partha Ray, an associate project scientist at UC San Diego, likens it to playing a game of “spot the difference” — except there are no prizes, just the risk of missing an actual deadly virus. At present, the only approved diagnosis method is PCR—think of it as the exorbitantly priced VIP entrance at a nightclub. It’s expensive, time-consuming, and frankly, a bit of a drama queen, taking days or even weeks to dish out results.
The Bright Side: Rapid Detection Sensor
Enter the wizards from the University of California and Boston University. They’ve crafted an optical biosensor that flaps a big ol’ cape at the diagnostic delays currently plaguing mpox detection. With this gadget, healthcare providers can diagnose monkeypox right at the point of care. It’s quick, it’s snazzy, and it’s a heck of a lot cheaper than your average lab test. Ray reports, “Within two minutes, we can tell whether someone has monkeypox or not.” That’s faster than your friend at a bar trying to figure out whether they want a vodka soda or a gin and tonic!
How Does It Work? Look No Further Than Your Kitchen
Ah, science! The study, led by the ingenious Mete Aslan, taps into a digital detection platform known as Pixel-Diversity interferometric reflectance imaging sensor (PD-IRIS). Sounds fancy, right? Imagine if your kitchen blender suddenly acquired a PhD and started detecting viruses. The beauty of this tech is its ability to differentiate mpox from other con-artists like herpes simplex and cowpox, ensuring that practitioners aren’t throwing around unnecessary diagnoses like confetti at a party.
Mass Production: A Future Vision
Ray’s hopes for mass-producing these tests as handy kits are about as optimistic as a kid in a candy store. The plan? A single boxed kit could combat a smorgasbord of viruses including syphilis and HIV. “The chip would be the same,” claims Ray, “the only change would be the binding antibody for a specific virus.” Talk about a one-size-fits-all miracle! However, don’t pop the champagne just yet; without government backing, this level of innovation may become a fairy tale. As Ray wisely notes, ignoring the current epidemic may lead to a global circus where monkeypox doesn’t just stay “within Africa.”
Final Thoughts: A Call for Action
The quest for rapid diagnostics is nothing short of vital. While there’s a flicker of hope in the form of new biosensor technologies, we are reminded that tackling this wicked virus demands more than just clever gadgets. It requires a collective effort, financial backing, and, let’s be honest, a dash of common sense. As the clock ticks, the world must brace for action — because if we don’t step up now, the punchline of this unfortunate saga might just be on all of us.
So, to all my readers, let’s support innovation and keep those funding channels open. After all, if laughter’s the best medicine, maybe it’s time we all got serious about giving scientists the tools they need to keep us healthy. Because who among us wants another round of monkey business?
What are the key advantages of the new optical biosensor for diagnosing monkeypox compared to traditional PCR tests?
Could whip up a diagnosis instead of a smoothie! This clever device spots the monkeypox virus with remarkable accuracy in just about 20 minutes – a game-changer for healthcare in crisis zones where every second counts.
**Editor:** Today, we’re joined by Partha Ray, an associate project scientist at UC San Diego School of Medicine, to discuss the alarming resurgence of mpox and the exciting advances in diagnostic technology. Partha, thank you for joining us.
**Partha Ray:** Thank you for having me!
**Editor:** Understandably, the rise of this new variant of mpox is causing considerable concern. Could you provide us with some context on its impact, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo?
**Partha Ray:** Absolutely. Since 2023, we’ve seen a troubling mortality rate of about 5% among those infected, with a significant number of the victims being children. The World Health Organization has declared this a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, reflecting the global nature of this health crisis.
**Editor:** That sounds incredibly serious. What makes diagnosing mpox so challenging right now?
**Partha Ray:** Well, the symptoms of mpox—fever, pain, rashes, lesions—are quite similar to those of several other viral infections. This overlap can make it difficult for clinicians to distinguish mpox without proper testing. Currently, PCR tests are the only approved method, but they are expensive and can take days to return results, which is a huge drawback during a fast-spreading outbreak.
**Editor:** You’ve mentioned a new optical biosensor developed in conjunction with colleagues at Boston University. How does this technology change the landscape for diagnosing mpox?
**Partha Ray:** This biosensor is a significant leap forward. It enables healthcare providers to diagnose monkeypox on-site in minutes instead of waiting for lab results. Within two minutes, we can tell if a patient has monkeypox—a timeframe much faster than existing methods allow. This instant feedback is crucial in controlling the spread of the disease.
**Editor:** That’s incredible! Can you share a bit about the mechanics behind this biosensor?
**Partha Ray:** Certainly! The technology employs a digital detection platform known as Pixel-Diversity interferometric reflectance imaging sensor—PD-IRIS for short. It allows for the precise identification of the monkeypox virus and can differentiate it from other similar viral infections.
**Editor:** With such rapid testing capabilities, what do you envision for the future of mpox diagnostics?
**Partha Ray:** Ideally, we see these tests being mass-produced and accessible as convenient kits that clinics can use. It would significantly reduce testing costs and could be adapted to test for multiple viruses. This could revolutionize our approach to viral outbreaks and potentially prevent future pandemics.
**Editor:** That sounds promising. Are there any challenges you foresee in getting these tests into the field?
**Partha Ray:** Yes, while we’re making strides, robust government support is essential to ensure these diagnostic tools can be widely used, especially in areas where healthcare resources are limited. If we don’t tackle this particular epidemic effectively, we risk it becoming a global issue.
**Editor:** Thank you, Partha. Your insights into this critical situation and the advancements in diagnostic technology are both eye-opening and encouraging. We appreciate your time today.
**Partha Ray:** Thank you for shedding light on this important topic.
