Sensitive semi-quantitative detection of respiratory syncytial virus by dark-field light scattering imaging of the infected host cells

A novel sensitive semi-quantitative virus detection technique was developed using the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) as an example, through dark-field light scattering imaging of the surface state of the virus-invaded host cells. In this method, anti-RSV-antibody modified gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) could bind with the invading virus on the cell membrane of the infected host cells through the specific antibody-antigen binding. Then, the host cells could be imaged by the localized surface plasmon resonance light scattering properties of AuNPs under a dark-field light scattering microscopy, which could be further used to semi-quantify the invading virus.