Building UI VDL COVID-19 test capacity: evaluating a SARS-CoV-2 LAMP assay for animal samples

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Project Abstract SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has lasted for two years and caused millions of infections and deaths in humans. Potentially through initial human-to-animal and animal-to animal transmission events, lots of animals such as minks were infected with SARS-CoV-2. SARS-CoV-2 has been detected in at least 18 animal species consisting of pet, captive, farm, and wild animals. It still remains unclear about the origin of SARS-CoV-2. Clinical testing is one of important steps to contain Covid-19 pandemic and monitor the virus evolution. Molecular tests are commonly used for SARS-CoV-2 and RT-LAMP is a powerful molecular assay for SARS-CoV-2 testing because of its high specificity and sensitivity, cost-effectiveness, and fast turnaround time. In this proposal, we request funding to build testing capacity at the University of Illinois Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (UI VDL) to perform a RT-LAMP test for animal samples. All commercial SARS-CoV-2 RT-LAMP test kits are developed for human use and there is a need to perform evaluation of RT-LAMP test for animal samples. In this project, we evaluate a commercial SARS-CoV-2 RT-LAMP kit for animal samples collected in the UI VDL. The same set of positive and negative samples used for RT-LAMP will be also tested by real-time RT-PCR for comparison. The validated RT-LAMP diagnostic assay can be used for testing SARS-CoV-2 in samples of different animal species. Therefore, the validated RT-LAMP will make UI VDL ready for responding to SARS-CoV-2 outbreak investigation and surveillance in animals. The proposed study will enhance the capabilities of the Vet-LIRN laboratories to respond quickly to Covid-19 outbreaks in animals, which will have important impacts for both human and veterinary health.