Development of a paper-based fluorescent carbon quantum dots MIPs sensor for selective detection of lumpy skin disease virus

Abstract

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a contagious viral disease caused by the Lumpy Skin Disease virus (LSDV), a member of the Capripoxviridae family. Traditional LSDV diagnostic procedures proved to have challenges in terms of cross reactivity as well as limited sensitivity and specificity. Herein, we combined molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) and quantum dots (QDs) technology to develop a paper-based turn on fluorescence sensor for rapid, sensitive and selective detection of LSDV. Under optimal conditions, the sensor showed linear enhancement in fluorescence intensity with the increase of LSDV concentration and exhibited a detection limit of 10¹ log₁₀ TCID50 per ml. It also presented high specificity towards LSDV compared to other viruses viz sheep pox virus (SPV). Furthermore, the proposed sensor was successfully tested with spiked and real LSDV samples, proving its potential to serve as a sensitive selective sensor for LSDV diagnosis. Based on our knowledge, this is the first record of a paper-based diagnostic sensor for LSDV utilizing a CQDs-MIPs turn-on mechanism.