Ania Tomaszewicz Brown, Denise McAloose, Paul P. Calle, Angelika Auer, Annika Posautz, Sally Slavinski, Robin Brennan, Chris Walzer, and Tracie A. Seimon developed a quantitative RT-PCR assay for Canine distemper virus (CDV) using our handheld two3™ qPCR thermocycler. CDV is a multi-host pathogen that can cause significant mortality in domestic, wild terrestrial and marine mammals. It is a major conservation threat in some endangered species. Infection can result in severe respiratory disease and fatal encephalitis.
Biomeme's extraction methodology, lyophilized reagents, and two3™ thermocycler were compared to standard laboratory-based methods to assess sensitivity, efficiency and overall test performance. Key takeaways include:
- Results using a positive control plasmid for CDV showed comparable sensitivity (detection of 50 copies) and PCR efficiency between the two platforms, and CDV detection was similar between platforms when tested using a modified live CDV vaccine.
- Significantly higher Ct values (average Ct = 5.1 cycles) were observed using the Biomeme platform on known CDV positive animal samples.
- CDV detection using the Biomeme platform was similar in 25 of 26 samples from suspect CDV cases when compared to standard virology laboratory testing.
- One false positive was observed that was negative upon retest.
- Biomeme’s methodology eliminated the need for local or international sample transport typically seen in laboratory-based diagnostics.
- Results of their testing suggested that decreased diagnostic sensitivity (higher Ct values) relative to laboratory-based methods was observed using animal samples, so careful validation and optimization are essential. (Biomeme’s two3™ qPCR thermocycler has since been retired and replaced with our latest Franklin™ qPCR thermocycler)
Read the full research article over at PLOS ONE to learn how portable qPCR platforms can empower biologists and wildlife health professionals in remote and low-resource settings to greatly improve their understanding of CDV disease ecology and associated conservation threats in wildlife.
Biomeme is supporting a number of Wildlife Conservation Society initiatives, including Border Control and eDNA Detection of Endangered Species:
The Future of Border Control
In Search of the World's Rarest Turtle
From everyone at Biomeme to our long time collaborators, thank you for giving our platform a chance and congratulations on a strong publication!
For those interested in conducting a study using our portable, field-ready platform, shoot us a message and let us know what you’re working on. Let’s Talk!
Citation:
Tomaszewicz Brown A, McAloose D, Calle PP, Auer A, Posautz A, Slavinski S, et al. (2020) Development and validation of a portable, point-of-care canine distemper virus qPCR test. PLoS ONE 15(4): e0232044. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0232044
