Life Sciences & Biotechnology
Title : | Development of recombinant antibody-based nano-diagnostic lateral flow assay for rapid detection of Trypanosoma evansi infection at Point-of-Care |
Area of research : | Life Sciences & Biotechnology |
Principal Investigator : | Dr. Ruma Rani, ICAR- National Research Centre On Equines, Haryana |
Timeline Start Year : | 2022 |
Timeline End Year : | 2024 |
Contact info : | rumasaharan@gmail.com |
Details
Executive Summary : | Trypanosoma evansi, an extracellular haemoflagellate protozoan parasite, is a major cause of animal trypanosomosis disease (Surra) and a significant limitation to livestock productivity and agricultural activity. The disease has the widest geographical area among all pathogenic trypanosome species in Asia, Africa, and South America, with severe economic losses up to 44 million INR to the livestock industry and farming sector in India. Diagnosis of T. evansi involves various methods such as wet blood film, stained blood smear, animal inoculation, card agglutination test, latex agglutination test, ELISA assay, and DNA-based techniques (PCR). However, no rapid diagnostic tests are available for detecting parasite protein directly at the field level. Diagnosis of T. evansi relies on the detection of parasite molecules (DNA and protein) or host antibodies against parasite antigens. Assays like PCR and LAMP are highly reliable and can detect infection at early stages, but they require sophisticated instruments and skilled personnel, and LAMP assays can be prone to contamination. Serological immunoassays like ELISA can detect parasite antigen directly or host antibody against parasite antigen by forming specific antibody-antigen complexes. However, antibody-based assays are specific and sensitive, but they can sometimes result in false positive signals due to cross-reactivity and antibody occurrence after infection clearance. To address these issues, a novel recombinant antibody-based nano-diagnostic LFA for T. evansi detection is proposed. This would help in sensitive and specific diagnosis of the disease at the early stage, validated on a large number of equine samples in the Parasitology Laboratory. |
Outcome/Output: | 1 |
Organizations involved