Development of a Point-of-care Assay for the Detection of Sand Fly Fever Virus (SFFV), a Militarily Important Pathogen of the CENTCOM, EUCOM and AFRIC

Sand flies can cause sand fly fever due to Sand Fly Fever Viruses. The objective of this study is to develop a robust, field grade, screening assay for the detection of both Naples and Sicilian Sand Fly Fever Viruses in human serum. The test will utilize a multi-line lateral flow (dipstick) chromatography incorporated into a cassette that enables the simultaneous screening of both infectious agents. The proposed assay would be a very useful screening test to assess acute Sand Fly Fever Virus infections. The development of an IgM capture assay to assess early antibody responses would be a complementary assay for evaluating the presence of circulating virus and immune response to the virus. This would facilitate the treatment of military personnel presenting with febrile illness. In this Phase II we will complete the definition of the target antigens for Sand Fly Fever Virus detection, finalize development of specific antibodies and further evaluate the incorporation in the combined assay to detect both Naples and Sicilian Sand Fly Fever Viruses in human serum. The reagent and rapid assay development are already at an advanced stage of development. The combined rapid assay and subsequently the IgM capture assay will be optimized and then evaluated in panels of Sand Fly Fever Virus infection sera to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the multiplex assay.