Use of nanoparticle biosensors to evaluate carnivore health: A new approach

The canine distemper virus (CDV) causes a common fatal disease in carnivores that has led to the local extinction of some species.  Timely and effective monitoring and diagnosis of the spread of CDV are essential because these can contribute to containing and planning control strategies in early outbreak stages.  The use of nanoparticle-based biosensors (NPs) is a novel alternative. A systematic analysis of NP design, use, and scope provides a clue on the potential application of this technology in CDV diagnosis and control.  In this sense, the present paper outlines the most recent findings on the use of biosensors to diagnose canine distemper.  We conducted a literature review of the use of biosensors to diagnose different viruses of human and zoonotic importance. Biosensors designed for the diagnosis and control of CDV were then searched and analyzed. Searches were conducted in scientific databases with the keywords "Canine Distemper Virus”, “nanoparticles”, and “biosensors”.  No studies on wildlife were found. We found 50 studies addressing the development and application of virus biosensors in domestic animals and under laboratory conditions.  The use of metallic NPs with optical properties — for example, gold NPs and quantum dots — have been the main systems for the design of biosensors used in CDV diagnosis and control.  Future steps include the application of this technology in widely distributed wildlife species, e. g., coyote, by developing a device with a CDV-specific biosensor for in-situ detection, avoiding the need to capture individuals. Detecting CDV-infected populations in real-time will improve the management and containment of the disease to preserve the health of ecosystems.