Vector-borne diseases are important (re)-emerging infectious agents which are responsible for severe epidemics worldwide. Among them, Zika virus recently caused an explosive outbreak in Brazil with 500.000-1.500.000 cases, and is still circulating through the Americas.
Since other mosquito-borne diseases such as Chikungunya or Dengue are also gaining grounds across the world, vector-related epidemics represent a global health problem. Unfortunately, vaccines or treatments are not available to fight against all , and vector controlling methods lead to the emergence of insecticide resistant mosquitoes.
In order to better target at risk areas, an innovative tool for detecting and monitoring the infected vectors is strongly needed. Moreover, the detection of viral load in vectors is one step ahead of serotyping patients and can be a time saver.
In this context, we are developing a low-cost and novel diagnostic tool, Mos(kit)o, which is applicable in the field to detect pathogens directly in their vectors before any outbreak. This synthetic biology-engineered tool includes a fixed or mobile (drone-based) mosquito trap, and a biosilica/cellulose composite detection patch.
The patch is designed as a multilayered matrix capable of detecting a wide panel of mosquito-borne pathogens by using specific antibodies. It will have the additional capability of detecting insecticide resistance biomarkers, providing supplementary needed information. After the analysis, our patch will have 2D barcoded readouts, allowing us to build an environmental surveillance database.
A precise map of vector hot spots will provide a better assessment and response to vector-borne diseases, assisting local health authorities to anticipate and prepare for an epidemic. Our diagnosis tool will be used before diseases outbreaks and bring numerous benefits, such as its safety, its ease to use, and its applicability in the field in low and middle-income countries.
By monitoring and mapping the infected vectors distribution, we could detect vector-borne diseases spreading peaks and prevent many epidemics.
