Nanomaterial-based biosensors for early detection of Mpox virus: A comprehensive analysis

Abstract

Mpox, a zoonotic disease caused by the Mpox virus (MPXV), has re-emerged as a significant public health threat, particularly following the outbreak in 2022. Early and rapid detection of MPXV is crucial for controlling viral spread and preventing severe complications, particularly in vulnerable populations. While effective, traditional diagnostic methods like Polymerase Chain Reaction and genome sequencing are often costly and require complex equipment. Nanomaterial-based biosensors offer a promising alternative due to their unique physicochemical properties, high surface area, biocompatibility, and rapid response times. This review explores various nanomaterials—such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene, quantum dots (QDs), and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs)—and their application in the development of biosensors for MPXV detection, focusing on research from 2008 to 2024. These materials enable sensitive, specific, and portable biosensors that detect MPXV in real time via electrochemical, optical, piezoelectric, and calorimetric mechanisms. Each detection method leverages the virus's interaction with nanomaterial-functionalized surfaces to generate measurable signals. The review also discusses the advantages of nanomaterial-based biosensors, including enhanced sensitivity, cost-effectiveness, and portability, alongside the current challenges and future directions in the field. Nanomaterial-based biosensors could play a vital role in public health efforts to manage Mpox outbreaks by enabling early detection in clinical and point-of-care settings.