A research team was able to positively identify influenza with dye molecules engineered to target certain influenza-specific enzymes that emit fluorescent light when lit with a lamp or laser pointer, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.
Researchers introduced the engineered molecules to lab samples mimicking what would be extracted from a patient that were spiked with neuraminidase, an enzyme found on the surface of the influenza virus, in the laboratory setting. When interacting with the enzyme, the dye molecules emit red fluorescent light. If the enzyme isn't present, the light emitted is blue. The team believes further optimization of the method could result in the creation of a rapid diagnostic for influenza that could be used at point-of-care clinics.
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"Viral cultures are the gold standard for diagnosis of influenza but take several days to develop," said Bradley Smith, PhD, Emil T. Hofman Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind. "By targeting an enzyme inherent to the virus and identifying its presence in a sample, we can make a rapid determination of the influenza in a patient for an efficient and immediate diagnostic that would improve patient treatment and reduce overuse of antivirals."
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