Electrochemical Sensors and Biosensors for Influenza Detection

摘要

World Health Organization, United Nations and national governments are doing detailed monitoring ofinfluenza viruses due to the fact that there is considerable concern about the emergence of new globalpandemics with significant socio-economic impact. These concerns are based on knownepidemiological data and knowledge, because antigens (hemagglutinin and neuraminidase) ofinfluenza viruses can easily and quickly changed. Result of mutational changes is the emergence of anew subtype of the virus, which can cause a worldwide pandemic with a high fatality rate due to itsvirulence properties (Spanish Flu 1918, Asian Flu 1957, Hong Kong Flu 1968). Assessment ofpathogenicity and virulence is the key to taking appropriate health actions in the outbreak of severaltens of hours. Methods used for detection of viruses demand on equipment and personnel, and,moreover, confirmation (diagnosis) of infection lasts hours to days. Given the above, finding methodsfor rapid, sensitive and selective detection of the virus in the environment, body fluids and tissues isstill challenging. A promising area of nanotechnology seems to using nanoparticles in combinationwith electrochemical detection. The aim of this review is to describe and discuss the previously knownfacts in the detection of influenza viruses and to outline the challenges and trends in the field ofelectrochemical detection. In this paper, there are described and discussed appropriate strategies fordetection viral nucleic acid, specific viral proteins and virions. The strategies are divided into two mainparts as sensors and biosensors.