Nanobody-based lateral flow assays for the detection of α-bungarotoxin in Bungarus snake venoms
Abstract
Accurate snake identification is critical for effective antivenom treatment following snakebite envenoming, but remains a major diagnostic challenge. Here, we developed a prototype lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) designed to distinguish krait ( Bungarus ) from cobra ( Naja ) envenoming in Southeast Asia. To enhance point-of-care utility, the assay employs variable domains of heavy-chain-only antibodies (V H Hs). The V H Hs target α-bungarotoxin (α-BuTx), a neurotoxin unique to Bungarus , with negative selection strategies to minimize cross-reactivity with α-cobratoxin in Naja venom. Our prototype LFIA detected α-BuTx with a visual limit of detection of 0.5–5 ng/mL in running buffer and spiked urine and serum samples. Additionally, the assay detected Bungarus whole venom at 50–500 ng/mL in running buffer. No cross-reactivity with Naja venom was observed at clinically relevant concentrations, with signals detected only at supraphysiological concentrations (≥50,000 ng/mL). These results support the feasibility of using V H H-based LFIAs for guiding timely, targeted antivenom administration in resource-limited settings.
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BibTeX
@article{thumtecho2026nanobodybased,
title = {{Nanobody-based lateral flow assays for the detection of α-bungarotoxin in Bungarus snake venoms}},
author = {Suthimon Thumtecho and Selma B. Belfakir and Tenna V. K. Christensen and Esperanza Rivera-de-Torre and Nick J. Burlet and Anne Ljungars and Georgina M. S. Ross and Andreas H. Laustsen},
journal = {Scientific Reports},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1038/s41598-026-73595-4},
url = {https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-73595-4},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Nanobody-based lateral flow assays for the detection of α-bungarotoxin in Bungarus snake venoms
AU - Suthimon Thumtecho
AU - Selma B. Belfakir
AU - Tenna V. K. Christensen
AU - Esperanza Rivera-de-Torre
AU - Nick J. Burlet
AU - Anne Ljungars
AU - Georgina M. S. Ross
AU - Andreas H. Laustsen
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/17
JO - Scientific Reports
DO - 10.1038/s41598-026-73595-4
UR - https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-73595-4
AB - Accurate snake identification is critical for effective antivenom treatment following snakebite envenoming, but remains a major diagnostic challenge. Here, we developed a prototype lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) designed to distinguish krait ( Bungarus ) from cobra ( Naja ) envenoming in Southeast Asia. To enhance point-of-care utility, the assay employs variable domains of heavy-chain-only antibodies (V H Hs). The V H Hs target α-bungarotoxin (α-BuTx), a neurotoxin unique to Bungarus , with negative selection strategies to minimize cross-reactivity with α-cobratoxin in Naja venom. Our prototype LFIA detected α-BuTx with a visual limit of detection of 0.5–5 ng/mL in running buffer and spiked urine and serum samples. Additionally, the assay detected Bungarus whole venom at 50–500 ng/mL in running buffer. No cross-reactivity with Naja venom was observed at clinically relevant concentrations, with signals detected only at supraphysiological concentrations (≥50,000 ng/mL). These results support the feasibility of using V H H-based LFIAs for guiding timely, targeted antivenom administration in resource-limited settings.
SN - 2045-2322
ER -