Biosensor for Rapid Methods for the Detection of Viruses

Infectious diseases caused by viruses are a big problem and a threat to public health. Rapid diagnosis of these diseases is critical for effective clinical outcomes. In vitro diagnostics often require centralized laboratories and large and expensive devices. Recently, biosensors have been developed for the rapid detection of viral particles. This review compiles different types of biosensors and their principles. The focus has been placed on biosensors used for the detection of Influenza A and HIV. The method of detection, detection time, sensitivity, and accuracy of these biosensors were explained and used for the comparison. The properties of gold nanoparticles, DNA aptamers, and antibodies against viral proteins enabled them to be the most efficient materials for designing biosensors for Influenza A. Electrochemical, piezoelectric, mechanical, and optical sensors for the detection of HIV are described. Some of their advantages and disadvantages are mentioned. This review analyzed 26 papers which are dated from 2010 to 2020. A significant amount of these studies has been focused on the application of nanoparticles for improving the accuracy of sensing methods.