Development of a hand-held, field-deployable multiplex assay for the detection of Chikungunya Virus (CHIKV), West Nile Virus (WNV), and Dengue Virus i

Chikungunya an alphavirus, and the West Nile and Dengue Flaviviruses are carried by mosquitoes. While all three initially lead to febrile illness the subsequent clinical outcomes are very different and in some cases dual infections can occur. All three viruses have the potential to lead to fatal outcomes. Knowledge of the particular viruses carried by mosquitoes in areas of troop deployment would lead to improved and potentially early intervention in military personnel presenting with febrile illness. The purpose of this proposal is to develop a Multiline Lateral flow Immunoassay that would be field deployable and capable of independently detecting the presence of Chikungunya, Dengue or West Nile Viruses directly in mosquitoes. The test would be based on the use of specific antibodies to viral antigens in capture immunoassays. It is anticipated the test will use a colloidal gold detection system. The test will be designed to be stable and field deployable. The availability of such a test would have both military applications in many troop deployment areas as well as utility by epidemiologists in countries where these viral diseases are prevalent.