Deployable Pan-flavivirus and Pan-alphavirus Assays for Screening Pools of Medically Relevant Arthropod

VecTOR Test Systems, Inc will develop assays that can detect a broad range of alphaviruses and a broad range of flaviviruses in arthropod pools in a field setting. In Phase I, feasibility of the concept was determined by successfully developing prototype assays that can detect in a single multiplex format and as two group specific tests various alphaviruses and flaviviruses. The overall objective is to develop product/s that will quickly and accurately determine whether arthropods collected by preventive medicine units in the field are infected with medically relevant alphaviruses or flaviviruses in order to minimize the impact of the disease on operational capabilities. In Phase II, research will continue to select and finalize reagents that will allow development of tests with required sensitivity and specificity. These tests will provide results in less than 30 minutes and be interpreted visually as well as with a battery operated reader for quantitative comparison and storing of results. The assays will be easy to perform and results easy to interpret in far-forward situations. The assay will be made available in a kit with components required to perform the assay. The assay kit will be developed rugged to withstand field storage conditions.