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Title: An Update on the Arthropod-Borne Animal Diseases Research Laboratory, Laramie, Wyoming.

Author
item Mecham, James
item Mayer, Richard

Submitted to: United States Animal Health Association Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/22/2006
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: The USDA, ARS, Arthropod-Borne Animal Diseases Research Laboratory (ABADRL) is located in Laramie, Wyoming. The mission of the laboratory is to solve major emerging and/or exotic arthropod-borne disease problems that affect the U.S. livestock industry and wildlife. Many of these arthropod-borne diseases also have an effect on human health. Research is conducted in the Animal Health (NP-103) and the Veterinary, Medical, and Urban Entomology (NP-104) National Programs. The ABADRL operates BSL-1, BSL-2 and BSL-3 facilities. Contracts are also in place with cooperators for use of BSL-3Ag and BSL-4 laboratory and animal space. The ABADRL owns six buildings and leases additional buildings and space from the University of Wyoming. Major renovation efforts are currently under way on the BSL-3 laboratories in Laramie and will be completed this year. In addition the large animal facilities are being renovated to provide ABSL-2 enhanced space. The costs of the renovation are $2.1 million. Of this total, $1.5 million is being spent to renovate the Round Building, which will have ca. 1,500 ft2 of BSL-3 space and ca. 5410 ft 2 of BSL-2 space when completed. The BSL-3 area will be separate from the BSL-2 space. The remaining $0.6 million is being used to renovate the Large Animal Building, and includes new wall barrier coatings, new steam lines, a new controller for the alkaline tissue digester, new animal pens, new roof, backup power, DDC, etc. When completed, the building will have 2,680 ft2 and will be re-classified from BSL-3Ag to ABSL-2. Current research at the ABADRL includes studies on virus-vector-host interactions, diagnostic development, development of effective disease and vector control and management strategies, vaccine development, vector genomic studies, and studies on vector-virus ecology. The goal of the research is to transfer information and technology to the livestock industries, and to action and regulatory control agencies. The majority of the Animal Health Program at the ABADRL is being redirected to emphasize research on Rift Valley fever virus and exotic bluetongue viruses. The exact program details are being determined, but will include aspects of new diagnostic development, risk assessment, pathogen characterization, and vector-host interactions. The Veterinary, Medical, and Urban Entomology component of the ABADRL research mission, which studies vector competence and protection of U.S. livestock and wildlife from arthropod-borne diseases, is currently active, but may be revised to align more closely with changes in the Animal Health Program. During 2006, a number of research accomplishments were made at the ABADRL. These included development and refinement of diagnostic techniques for BTV; DNA and subunit vaccine development for West Nile virus detection; characterization of BTV receptors on vertebrate cells; studies on BTV persistence in Culicoides; studies on mosquito repellants applied to cattle in the field; studies on the effect of temperature on Culicoides competence for BTV infection and transmission; and studies on genetic variation of Aedes triseriatus and vector competence for LaCrosse encephalitis virus as a model for Rift Valley fever virus.

Technical Abstract: The USDA, ARS, Arthropod-Borne Animal Diseases Research Laboratory (ABADRL) is located in Laramie, Wyoming. The mission of the laboratory is to solve major emerging and/or exotic arthropod-borne disease problems that affect the U.S. livestock industry and wildlife. Many of these arthropod-borne diseases also have an effect on human health. Research is conducted in the Animal Health (NP-103) and the Veterinary, Medical, and Urban Entomology (NP-104) National Programs. The ABADRL operates BSL-1, BSL-2 and BSL-3 facilities. Contracts are also in place with cooperators for use of BSL-3Ag and BSL-4 laboratory and animal space. The ABADRL owns six buildings and leases additional buildings and space from the University of Wyoming. Major renovation efforts are currently under way on the BSL-3 laboratories in Laramie and will be completed this year. In addition the large animal facilities are being renovated to provide ABSL-2 enhanced space. The costs of the renovation are $2.1 million. Of this total, $1.5 million is being spent to renovate the Round Building, which will have ca. 1,500 ft2 of BSL-3 space and ca. 5410 ft 2 of BSL-2 space when completed. The BSL-3 area will be separate from the BSL-2 space. The remaining $0.6 million is being used to renovate the Large Animal Building, and includes new wall barrier coatings, new steam lines, a new controller for the alkaline tissue digester, new animal pens, new roof, backup power, DDC, etc. When completed, the building will have 2,680 ft2 and will be re-classified from BSL-3Ag to ABSL-2. Current research at the ABADRL includes studies on virus-vector-host interactions, diagnostic development, development of effective disease and vector control and management strategies, vaccine development, vector genomic studies, and studies on vector-virus ecology. The goal of the research is to transfer information and technology to the livestock industries, and to action and regulatory control agencies. The majority of the Animal Health Program at the ABADRL is being redirected to emphasize research on Rift Valley fever virus and exotic bluetongue viruses. The exact program details are being determined, but will include aspects of new diagnostic development, risk assessment, pathogen characterization, and vector-host interactions. The Veterinary, Medical, and Urban Entomology component of the ABADRL research mission, which studies vector competence and protection of U.S. livestock and wildlife from arthropod-borne diseases, is currently active, but may be revised to align more closely with changes in the Animal Health Program. During 2006, a number of research accomplishments were made at the ABADRL. These included development and refinement of diagnostic techniques for BTV; DNA and subunit vaccine development for West Nile virus detection; characterization of BTV receptors on vertebrate cells; studies on BTV persistence in Culicoides; studies on mosquito repellants applied to cattle in the field; studies on the effect of temperature on Culicoides competence for BTV infection and transmission; and studies on genetic variation of Aedes triseriatus and vector competence for LaCrosse encephalitis virus as a model for Rift Valley fever virus.