Label-free surface-plasmon resonance fiber grating biosensor for Hand-foot-mouth disease (EV-A71) detection

[Display omitted] •Surface plasmon resonance tilted fiber Bragg grating (SPR-TFBG) based biosensor is demonstrated for the detection of Enterovirus A71, one of the Hand-foot-mouth disease causative viruses.•The monoclonal antibody (MAb) is employed a bioreceptor for bio-functionalise the SPR-TFBG.•The baseline solution is used in every virus test to eliminate the refractive index noise and improve the specificity of the signal to the target virus. In this work, we have demonstrated the surface plasmon resonance tilted fiber Bragg grating (SPR-TFBG) based biosensor for the detection of Enterovirus A71, one of the causative agents for Hand-foot-mouth disease. The SPR-TFBG was biofunctionalized with monoclonal antibody (MAb), a bioreceptor that has an affinity for the virus. Beside the virus concentrations, the other unknown substance in the test analytes can contribute to the refractive index noise that has a significant impact to the sensor signal and accuracy of the measurement. In the experiment, a rinsing step is incorporated in the test with EV-A71 virus solution followed by the measurement of the optical spectrum in baseline solution with fixed refractive index. This procedure can effectively eliminate the refractive index noise and enhance the specificity of the signal to the target virus.