Airborne pathogen detection using electrochemical biosensors: Research status and future directions

Airborne pathogens pose a significant public health challenge. The ability to detect them efficiently and provide actionable data to mitigate risk in real time is limited. Traditional detection techniques, such as culture-based assays, polymerase chain reaction, and immunoassays, often require extended processing times, specialized laboratories, and substantial financial resources, collectively limiting their applications for real-time, on-site monitoring. Screen-printed electrode (SPE)-based electrochemical biosensors (ECB) have emerged as a promising alternative, offering a rapid, cost-effective, and portable solution for in situ pathogen detection and surveillance. By functionalizing the SPE surface with metal nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, and conductive polymers, the desired electrochemical performance can be achieved. By integrating diverse biorecognition elements, including aptamers, antibodies, molecularly imprinted polymers, oligonucleotides, and peptides, onto SPE surfaces, these devices can achieve high sensitivity and selectivity. Recent studies have demonstrated picomolar to nanomolar limits of detection and fast response times, enabling near-real-time analysis in both environmental and clinical scenarios. Despite these advances, challenges persist in achieving large-scale fabrication, minimizing non-specific binding, and validating sensor performance against complex, airborne samples. Future efforts should focus on multiplexed sensing arrays, flexible and wearable formats, and integration with wireless communication modules that facilitate continuous surveillance. This review consolidates current progress in the detection of airborne pathogens using SPE-based ECB, identifies key limitations, and outlines strategies for practical implementation. • Reviews electrochemical biosensors for airborne pathogen detection. • Examines biorecognition element–based sensing strategies across studies. • Evaluates current air sampling approaches used for bioaerosol detection. • Discusses key limitations in biosensing performance and deployment. • Identifies future directions for integrated and field-ready platforms.