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

项目摘要 SARS-CoV-2大流行已经持续了两年，导致数百万人感染和死亡。 可能通过最初的人对动物和动物对动物的传播事件，许多动物，如 水貂感染SARS-CoV-2。已在至少18种动物身上检测到SARS-CoV-2，包括 宠物、圈养、农场和野生动物。目前仍不清楚SARS-CoV-2的来源。临床测试是 遏制新冠肺炎大流行和监测病毒演变的重要步骤之一。分子测试是 通常用于SARS-CoV-2和RT-LAMP是检测SARS-CoV-2的一种强大的分子检测方法，因为 其高度的特异性和敏感性、成本效益和快速的周转时间。在这项提案中，我们要求 为伊利诺伊大学兽医诊断实验室(UI VDL)建立测试能力提供资金，以执行 动物样本的RT-LAMP测试。所有商用SARS-CoV-2 RT-LAMP试剂盒都是为人类开发的 使用，并且需要对动物样本进行RT-LAMP试验的评估。在这个项目中，我们评估 商业SARS-CoV-2 RT-LAMP试剂盒，用于在UI VDL中收集的动物样本。同样的一组积极的 而RT-LAMP的阴性样品也将进行实时RT-PCR检测，以进行比较。经过验证的 RT-LAMP诊断方法可用于检测不同物种动物样本中的SARS-CoV-2。 因此，经过验证的RT-LAMP将使UI VDL为应对SARS-CoV-2疫情调查做好准备 以及对动物的监视。拟议的研究将增强VET-LIRN实验室的能力 对动物中爆发的新冠肺炎做出快速反应，这将对人类和 兽医健康。

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.