Location: Zoonotic and Emerging Disease Research
Project Number: 3022-32000-027-006-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Aug 22, 2023
End Date: Aug 21, 2027
Objective:
The increasing frequency of outbreaks of emerging and re-emerging diseases reflects the interconnected nature of human, animal, and environmental health. Local and regional outbreaks present a greater threat to human and animal health everywhere. Species in close contact at the human-animal nexus, namely humans and the animals they raise, represent high-risk populations for cross-species spillover events. Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever virus (CCHFV) and Henipaviruses are two key examples of emerging infectious diseases that represent a threat to livestock, wildlife and humans with complicated zoonotic origins. CCHFV is a tick-borne virus known to cause hemorrhagic fever with a case fatality rate ranging from 9-50%. The geographic distribution of this virus remains only partially characterized with cases found across the mediterranean through central Africa and China.
Similarly, henipaviruses are rare but fatal viruses spread via bats to livestock animals which in turn infect the people who care for them. Hendravirus, observed in Australia in 1994 was spread from flying fox bats to horses and then to seven individuals, and caused high fatality among both groups. Nipahvirus shares a similar trajectory from wild bats to domesticated animals and eventually to humans. Nipahvirus was first discovered in 1999 on a pig farm in Malaysia. Both viruses can cause encephalitis and case fatality rates from 40-75%.
This project is to develop sensitive and specific diagnostic assays that can be used in a variety settings. Current molecular assays are either LDTs or high complexity assays. As a result the availability of diagnostic tests has been limited, hindering surveillance and clinical testing. This project will develop assays that can be used in the field or basic laboratory and will require minimal training of the users.
Approach:
Aim 1:Development of LAMP based assays for emerging disease threats. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) tests will be developed and evaluated using extracted or synthetic materials. Extracted material or synthetics will be used initially to avoid complications with matrix types or extraction protocols. LAMP assays do not require complex equipment and carefully controlled temepratures.
Aim 2 Adaptation of assays to the Conservation X Labs platform. If assays are determined to specific and the sensitivity is at or below existing LDT assays the developed assays will be transferred to the Conservation X Labs platform. A variety of sample types will be evaluated for potential matrix effects. The Level of Detection of the assays will be determined using spiked materials and an initial validation using spiked samples.
Aim 3 Field testing - Developed assays and platform will be field tested in locations with other NACA partners for an ease of use and suitability assessment. Performance will be compared with other available tests. Sequencing may be incorporated based on performance of the assay and field testing. Sequencing will be performed in partnership with APHI.
