Real-time PCR Equipment for University of Wyoming's Department of Veterinary Sciences

Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING
1000 E UNIVERSITY AVE DEPARTMENT 3434
LARAMIE,WY 82071-2000

Performing Department
VETERINARY SCIENCES

Non Technical Summary
High impact infectious diseases of livestock must be diagnosed accurately and rapidly. Classical laboratory methods, such as isolation of the agent, are often too slow to allow regulatory agencies to respond promptly to an animal disease crisis. This project will use real-time PCR equipment purchased with NRI funding to test and validate LRN protocols for detection of diseases that are of high impact in cattle, sheep, and horses, and are endemic to Wyoming and the region.

Animal Health Component

70%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

(N/A)

Applied

70%

Developmental

30%

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
311	3910	1100	25%
311	3910	1101	50%
311	3910	1110	15%
311	3910	1160	10%

Knowledge Area
311 - Animal Diseases;

Subject Of Investigation
3910 - Cross-commodity research--multiple animal species;

Field Of Science
1101 - Virology; 1160 - Pathology; 1100 - Bacteriology; 1110 - Parasitology;

Goals / Objectives
The purpose of this proposal was to apply and/or develop PCR-based methods for the detection of high-impact infectious diseases of cattle, horses, and sheep. The current focus is to use PCR methods and Laboratory Response Network protocols for agents that the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory is approved to store: B. abortus, Coxiella burnetii, Y. pestis, vesicular stomatitis virus, and F. tularensis.

Project Methods
PCR protocols and reagents from the CDC's Laboratory Response Network will be used on spontaneous field cases (or archived isolates) of brucellosis, plague, tularemia, VSV, and Q fever in order to validate their use on tissues. Selected current diagnostic cases will be used to validate the technique, complemented by the gold standard of bacterial or viral isolation.

Progress 02/01/04 to 01/31/05

Outputs
Purchase of real time PCR equipment allowed the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory to continue its participation in the Laboratory Response Network (LRN). The LRN was established after 9/11 to provide adequate qualified laboratory facilities and personnel for a rapid response to a disease outbreak that might potentially be bioterrorist events. Almost all of the assays developed and approved for use by LRN participants are based on real time PCR. Having this equipment allows the WSVL to do check tests on Brucella abortus and Yersenia pestis which are two possible bioweapons. The WSVL also has the capability to test for two other significant agents -Fransisella tularensis and Q-fever. We have not been called on to test samples for these agents as part of the LRN but we have been able to utilize the procedures and reagents provided by the LRN to support our animal disease diagnostic responsibilities.

Impacts
This equipment has been used by the WSVL to test for two other agents as part of the WSVL's participation in the National Animal Health Laboratory Network: foot and mouth disease, and classical swine fever. Two technicians in the laboratory have used this equipment to become approved to test for FMD and CSF following proficiency testing by the National Veterinary Services Laboratory.

Publications

No publications reported this period