Recent Advances in CRISPR-Cas Systems for Dengue Virus Detection

Dengue virus (DENV) infections persist as a significant global health threat despite decades of surveillance and control efforts. The disease may progress to severe dengue, marked by hemorrhage, plasma leakage, and vital organ impairment, contributing to substantial worldwide morbidity and mortality. The rapidly escalating DENV burden demands rapid and innovative diagnostic approaches that move beyond conventional detection methods. CRISPR-Cas-based technologies have emerged as a revolutionary approach, offering next-generation solutions for DENV diagnostics. This review outlines the recent advances in the use of CRISPR based technologies for robust and more sensitive detection of dengue virus nucleic acids, critically evaluating their advantages over conventional diagnostics, current limitations, and future prospects. The roles of Cas12 and Cas13 in DENV-RNA detection are discussed in detail. Additional key areas mentioned include field-deployable and portable CRISPR-Cas technologies, serotype-specific detection, hybrid and isothermal amplification-based approaches, and a combination of CRISPR with electrochemical sensing techniques and nanotechnology. Collectively, these advances highlight the potential of CRISPR-based diagnostics in evolving future strategies for rapid and effective dengue virus detection and control of infections.