The "smart bandage" can quickly identify COVID-19 and other infections.

Early identification is essential to stopping the spread of a disease outbreak before it turns into an epidemic.

Researchers at NYU Abu Dhabi have created a unique adhesive bandage that can identify the presence of disease antibodies within minutes, even before a person exhibits symptoms.

This quick-testing bandage for antibodies may prove to be a crucial new weapon in the fight against COVID-19 and other viral illnesses.

The disposable bandage, which resembles a typical adhesive bandage, detects the presence of antibodies in the circulation using small gold nanoparticles.

Immunoglobulin M (IgM) and Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies that indicate the presence of viruses like COVID-19 are recognized by the bandage.

A dot on the bandage becomes crimson in a matter of minutes, signifying that IgM or IgG antibodies have entered the circulation.

Additionally, it demonstrates how active their COVID-19 infection is: For instance, a dot pattern for an early immune reaction differs from one for an active immune response.

The technique used to create the bandage, which was detailed in Nature: Microsystems & Nanoengineering, is thought to be easily adaptable to the detection of other infectious illnesses.

Muhammedin Deliorman, a research co-author, said: "Going forward, we will explore the potential of this technology in detecting and screening other emerging viral infections."

Even the finger prick might be made simpler: "We also plan to incorporate biodegradable porous microneedles into the bandage, enabling efficient finger pricking," Deliorman said.

The inexpensive bandage could come in helpful in remote areas with little access to sophisticated testing facilities.