For this, analysts have turned to new tools from the developing field of nanotechnology, particularly nanoparticles, to devise unique platforms for the detection of respiratory infection

For this, analysts have turned to new tools from the developing field of nanotechnology, particularly nanoparticles, to devise unique platforms for the detection of respiratory infection. The field of nanotechnology capitalizes on the unique properties of nanoscale materials, ranging in size from 1 to 100 nm.8 The underlying basis for such nanoscale effects is that every property of a material has a characteristic and critical length associated with it. been functionalized with virus specific antibodies or oligonucleotides. In each of these constructs, AuNPs act as both an easily conjugated scaffolding system for biological molecules and a powerful fluorescence quencher. AuNPs have also been immobilized and used as electrochemical transducers. They efficiently serve as a conducting interface of electrocatalyic activity making them YH249 a powerful tool in this application. Quantum dots (QDs) posses unique fluorescence properties that have also been explored for their application to virus detection when combined with direct antibody conjugation or streptavidin\biotin binding systems. QDs have an advantage over many traditional fluorophores because their fluorescence properties can be finely tuned and they are resistant to photobleaching. The development of these nanoparticle\based detection strategies holds the potential to be a powerful method to quickly and easily confirm respiratory virus infection. 2010 2 277C290 This article is categorized under: 1 Diagnostic Tools In Vitro Nanoparticle-Based Sensing 2 Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery Nanomedicine for Respiratory Disease Respiratory infections represent a significant threat to a broad range of both human and animal populations. Each year, incidents of human influenza are estimated to cost the United States over 10 billion dollars and result in more than 200,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths.1 Pandemic influenza often results in the deaths of tens of millions of people worldwide. These pandemics are estimated to have direct and indirect costs over 100 billion dollars.1 Influenza, however, is not the only virus to pose a serious threat. Additionally, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is the number one cause of serious lower respiratory tract infections in infants and young children worldwide. Infection rates have been estimated as high as 50% within the first year of life with 90,000 annual US hospitalizations in children under 5 years. It has also become an increasing threat to elderly and immunocomprimised populations.2 In 2003, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) emerged in a global outbreak that resulted in 8000 confirmed cases with a fatality rate of 11%.3 Respiratory infection is not unique to humans. For example, Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS), caused by the Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV), is one of the most economically devastating diseases affecting the swine industry worldwide. In the United States alone, the estimated cost to pork producers is around 600 million dollars annually.4 New strains of respiratory viruses continue to emerge, such as the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, posing new and continual threats. Efforts to control respiratory infection have focused on prevention through vaccine development.1 However, in the case of some viruses, such as RSV, no vaccine is presently available making detection and treatment of critical importance. Treatment of respiratory viruses can include the administration of one or more antiviral compounds. During the 2003 SARS outbreak, the common antiviral ribavirin was widely distributed and in some cases used in conjunction with the protease inhibitor Kaletra. Although preliminary results suggested that YH249 the addition of Kaletra to the traditional drug treatments reduced intubation and mortality rates, it was most successful when administered early. The treatment of RSV is another example where the efficacy of the antiviral medicines available is directly related to the early detection of an infection. Because administration of medication in the early stages of infection is intimately related to the success of treatment for many respiratory viruses, the development of rapid detection methods could prove indispensible in limiting the spread and morbidity of these infectious organisms. Classical methods for the detection of respiratory viruses are typically costly, labor intensive, and require specialized equipment and expertise. An ideal detection method is sensitive, specific, rapid, and requires the direct detection of virus, viral antigens, or viral RNA. Most of the classical methods for detection contain only one or two of these characteristics. RSV isolation in cell culture has been considered the gold standard for detection in patients. This method is labor intensive and slow, often requiring several days before a positive result can be determined.5, 6, 7 Immunofluorescence and Enzyme\Linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISA) are performed more rapidly, but lack the sensitivity required for early detection.5, HSNIK 6, 7 Serological studies and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) are also commonly utilized methods. Serological studies require seroconversion and consequently YH249 cannot be applied to acute infection. PCR, on the other hand, is extremely sensitive, but also sensitive to template contamination and often yield false positive results. YH249 6 Although these methods have been used historically to identify respiratory infection, their limitations emphasize the important need for a diagnostic. For this, researchers have turned to new tools from the developing field of nanotechnology, particularly nanoparticles, to devise unique platforms for the detection of respiratory infection. The field of nanotechnology.