Development of a dengue virus serotype-specific non-structural protein 1 capture immunochromatography method

Abstract

Four serotypes of dengue virus (DENV), type 1 to 4 (DENV-1 to DENV-4), exhibit ap-proximately 25–40% of the difference in the encoded amino acid residues of viral proteins. Reverse transcription of RNA extracted from specimens followed by PCR amplification is the current stan-dard method of DENV serotype determination. However, since this method is time-consuming, rapid detection systems are desirable. We established several mouse monoclonal antibodies directed against DENV non-structural protein 1 and integrated them into rapid DENV detection systems. We successfully developed serotype-specific immunochromatography systems for all four DENV serotypes. Each system can detect 104 copies/mL in 15 min using laboratory and clinical isolates of DENV. No cross-reaction between DENV serotypes was observed in these DENV isolates. We also confirmed that there was no cross-reaction with chikungunya, Japanese encephalitis, Sindbis, and Zika viruses. Evaluation of these systems using serum from DENV-infected individuals indicated a serotype specificity of almost 100%. These assay systems could accelerate both DENV infection diagnosis and epidemiologic studies in DENV-endemic areas.