Building UI VDL COVID-19 test capacity: evaluating sample pooling for SARS-CoV-2 testing in animals

项目摘要 SARS-CoV-2可以感染人和动物。群体试验是遏制 新冠病毒在人类中的大流行，这也将是动物物种的正确策略。SARS-CoV-2 美国动物的阳性率被低估，部分原因是动物试验需要国家 官方批准。必须扩大检测能力，以便能够对动物进行大规模监测 在需要的时候。样本池已被证明是一种有用的战略，以增加测试能力， 减轻测试负担。在这项提案中，我们要求提供资金，以建立在大学的测试能力， 伊利诺伊州兽医诊断实验室（UI VDL）将评估样本合并以扩大检测规模， SARS-CoV-2，节省检测资源。为了确定合并对检测灵敏度的影响，我们将 在UI VDL中评估SARS-CoV-2 PCR检测的两种不同合并量。阳性样品 将单独评价并与阴性样品一起评价。同样的一套积极和消极的 将随机合并样本，以模拟临床合并试验。经验证的合并策略 可用于不同动物种属的SARS-CoV-2监测。因此，经验证的合并 该程序将使UI VDL准备好应对SARS-CoV-2在动物中爆发的调查。 拟议的研究将扩大Vet-LIRN实验室的能力，以快速应对 COVID-19在动物中爆发，这将对人类和兽医产生巨大影响 健康

Project Abstract SARS-CoV-2 can infect both human and animals. Population testing is one of important steps to contain Covid-19 pandemic in humans, which will be also a right strategy in animal species. SARS-CoV-2 positive rates in animals in the US are under-estimated partially because animal testing needs state official approval. Testing capabilities must be expanded to enable a large-scale surveillance in animals when needed. Sample pooling has been proved a useful strategy to increase testing capacity and reduce testing burden. In this proposal, we request funding to build testing capacity at the University of Illinois Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (UI VDL) to evaluate sample pooling to scale up testing for SARS-CoV-2 and save testing resources. To determine the effect of pooling on test sensitivity, we will evaluate two different pooling sizes for SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing in the UI VDL. The positive samples will be evaluated individually and together with negative samples. The same set of positive and negative samples will be randomly pooled for simulation of clinical pooling testing. The validated pooling strategy can be used for SARS-CoV-2 surveillance in different animal species. Therefore, the validated pooling procedure will make UI VDL ready for responding to SARS-CoV-2 outbreak investigation in animals. The proposed study will scale up the capabilities of the Vet-LIRN laboratories to respond quickly to Covid-19 outbreaks in animals, which will have tremendous impacts for both human and veterinary health.