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ARS Home » Plains Area » Manhattan, Kansas » Center for Grain and Animal Health Research » ABADRU » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #276513
Title: The Arthropod-borne Animal Diseases Unit: research program update and status

Author
item McVey, David
item Wilson, William - Bill
item Drolet, Barbara

Submitted to: Symposium Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/2/2011
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: To accomplish the continuing research mission of the Arthropod Borne Animal Diseases Unit (ABADRU) in solving major endemic, emerging, and exotic arthropod-borne disease problems in livestock, the Unit has completed the move to Manhattan, KS. The ABADRU is one of five units at the Center for Grain and. Animal Health Research (CGAHR). The ABADRU is doing BSL-2 research at CGAHR and has operational cell culture and insectary laboratory units at the Center. The ABADRU has also begun BSL-3 laboratory and animal work at the new Biosecurity Research Institute at Kansas State University. An insect-secure laboratory will be available for animal research projects late in 2011. The ABADRU has three 5-year project plans under two ARS National Research Programs; Animal Health NP103 and Veterinary, Medical, and Urban Entomology NP 104. These plans include research on bluetongue virus (BTV; exotic and domestic), vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), and Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV). Research progress to date for exotic BTV include a susceptibility study of white-tailed deer with BTV serotype 8 isolate originally isolated in The Netherlands. Research progress to date for RVFV includes vector competence studies, animal infection model studies, production of BSL-2 diagnostic assays including qRT-PCR, ELISA, and immunohistochemistry. The ABADRU has recruited a new research leader and veterinary medical officer (Dr. D.S. McVey), a new field entomologist (Dr. L. Cohnstaedt), a new Molecular Entomologist (Dr. D. Nayduch) and is recruiting an additional veterinary medical officer. The ABADRU continues to have the highest level of funding in its history, thanks to additional funding sources such as Department of Homeland Security, ARS Office of International Research Projects, and the Department of State Biosecurity Engagement Program. Additionally, the lab has the largest number of national and international collaborations in its history, and continues to have a productive research program addressing the needs of our stakeholders.