BACKGROUND
The tick-borne pathogens in the genus Anaplasma continues to impact livestock production in the United States and worldwide. Economic loss due to bovine anaplasmosis in the U.S., alone, is estimated to be greater than $300 million/year. While acute disease results in considerable production losses, cattle can survive the acute phase of Anaplasma marginale develop persistent life-long infection, and therefore pose risk of future outbreaks. These animals then serve as a major reservoir for biological infection and transmission by ticks and mechanical transmission by the transfer of infected blood by biting insects or blood contaminated fomites. Closely related pathogens, A. phagocytophilum and A. ovis may contribute to disease cattle in the U.S. and could potentially increase the risk of human exposure. A user-friendly, low-cost diagnostic test for livestock will allow for increased surveillance of several Anaplasma pathogens in the U.S. and worldwide where these pathogens are increasingly being detected.
SUMMARY OF TECHNOLOGY
This invention brings together the diagnostic power of an isothermal detection method, Replicase Polymerase Amplification (RPA) in a lateral flow device, which will be able to rapidly detect Anaplasma in cattle blood in a field setting in a short period of time. The development of field deployable RAD kit will provide a simple test for use in local venues for rapid diagnosis and screening, after which subsequent confirmation can be done by PCR. This RAD kit will be based on the Anaplasma msp4 gene, which has been shown to differentiate between Anaplasma species and strains. This RAD kit will simplify the detection process, allowing veterinarians to complete the screening in their labs or even in the field setting. Overall, development of a user-friendly, low-cost field molecular diagnostic test will allow for increased monitoring and surveillance of the cattle population in the U.S. for the important pathogens and serve as an approach for discrimination of Anaplasma sp. in the other animal species.
POTENTIAL AREAS OF APPLICATION
MAIN ADVANTAGES
STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT