Identification of CHIKV biomarkers in serum of CHIKV-infected mice and a high affinity ssDNA aptamer against E2 as bioreceptor for diagnosis.

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) which is mosquito-borne, causes fever and joint pain in human. Diagnosis of CHIKV infection is via laboratory detection of viral genes and antibodies requiring specialized instruments and technical skills, which are unsuitable for point-of-care diagnosis. Using a mouse model for CHIKV infection, we found that the E2 viral antigens appear in the early phase of infection. Then ssDNA aptamer that interacts with the E2 protein with high affinity and specificity was identified. The aptamer mimicking the antibody against the E2 protein can be utilized in a rapid and easy diagnostic assay at point-of-care for confirming CHIKV infection in the early phase.