Development of Epstein Barr virus biosensor by mimicking its infection mechanism for early detection of multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Given the established link between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and multiple sclerosis, the early and asymptomatic detection of EBV has become increasingly important. In this study, we developed an impedimetric EBV biosensor designed for practical and early screening, based on mimicking the virus’s natural infection mechanism. To achieve this, the B cell surface protein CD21—serving as the host receptor—was immobilized onto a carbon screen-printed electrode. The interaction between CD21 and the EBV surface glycoprotein gp350 was monitored using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Following the optimization of experimental parameters, the biosensor’s analytical performance was evaluated. It exhibited a linear detection range from 5 to 100 ng/mL, with a limit of detection of 0.0074 ng/mL, a limit of quantification of 0.022 ng/mL, and a relative standard deviation of 1.34%. The optimized biosensor was then tested using 1:100 diluted saliva samples collected from healthy individuals, yielding highly promising results that support its potential for real-world applications.