This review (with 145 refs.) summarizes the progress made in the past years in the field of nanomaterial based rapid detection of hepatitis viruses. Following an introduction into the field (with subsection on the significance of hepatitis and on fundamentals of biosensors), conventional methods for detection of hepatitis are discussed, along with their limitationss. The next section covers electrochemical sensors, with subsections on voltammetric, amperometric, potentiometric, impedimetric and conductometric biosensors. A further large section covers optical methods, with subsections on methods based on fluorescence, photometry, surface plasmon resonance, surface-enhanced Raman scattering and chemiluminescence. A concluding section discusses current challenges and gives an outlook on potential future developments. Graphical abstract A schematic illustration of biosensor components applied for detection of hepatitis viruses.
Keywords: Hepatitis; Liver disease; Nanoparticles; Nanosensors; Nanotechnology; Signal amplification.