NIAB: Detection Method of Japanese Encephalitis Virus

February 19, 2022

The National Institute of Animal Biotechnology, Hyderabad, has developed the “Fluorine Doped Tin Oxide (FTO) electrode fabricated with reduced Graphene Oxide (rGO)” to detect the Japanese Encephalitis Virus.

Key Points

Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV) is the leading cause of mosquito-borne encephalitis in Western Pacific and South-East Asia. It is often misdiagnosed as Dengue.
There is no cure available for JEV. Thus, its early detection is essential in order to mitigate a breakout.
“FTO with rGO” has been as an electrochemical based immunosensor for rapid, specific and sensitive detection of Non-Structural 1 (NS1) secretory protein. It is suitable biomarker for JEV found circulating in blood. It has also been reported to elicit an immune response.

What are the concerns with conventional methods for JEV diagnosis?

Conventional methods for JEV diagnosis are expensive, time-consuming and more hazardous. They require an elaborate laboratory set up besides trained expertise. Thus, development of new biosensor may be able to overcome these limitations.

Detection of the NS1

Detection of the NS1, rather than antibody has an added advantage since the antigen is present from day 1 of the infection, which facilitates early detection. While, antibodies appear only after Day 4 or 5 of the infection.

How was this experiment conducted?

In order to identify the specificity of epitopes for different flaviviralNS1 with JEV NS1 antibody paratopes, docking studies were used. It was followed by JEV NS1 sequence amplification, transformation and cloning. NS1 protein was expressed in E. coli while it was characterised, and immunized in rabbits in a bid to raise polyclonal antibodies. Later, NS1 Antibodies were purified from serum, and used as the bioreceptor for fabricating electrode with reduced graphene oxide. It acted as a conductivity enhancing nanomaterial for detection of JEV NS1 antigen (Ag).

Japanese encephalitis (JE)

JE is an infection of brain caused by Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV). Most infections result in little or no symptoms, but occasional inflammation of the brain occurs. Symptoms may include headache, fever, vomiting, confusion and seizures.

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