Polystyrene derivatives substituted with arginine interact with Babanki (Togaviridae) and Kedougou (Flaviviridae) viruses.

Outbreaks of new or old diseases appear primarily in tropical zones such as Africa, south and central America, or Asia. Among these diseases, those induced by Arboviruses (the best known of which are being yellow fever, dengue, Ebola, and Sindbis) are under intensive observation by the World Health Organization. Rapid isolation and identification of the viral species is the first step in the diagnosis, study, and control of epidemics. One major problem with the isolation of viruses is capturing sufficient numbers of viral particles to test. The work presented in this report addresses this question. We have tested the interaction between Babanki (Togaviridae), Kedougou (Flaviviridae) viruses, and a range of insoluble polystyrene derivatives substituted with arginine groups. Insoluble functionalized copolymers were found to develop specific interactions with viruses through chemical groups present on their surfaces. The adsorption of viruses varied according to the percentage of arginine substituted onto the polymer, with a maximum value for both viruses of about 20% of grafting rate. It was also found that the Kedougou virus displayed the highest affinity for this polymer.