A Point-of-Care Assay for the Detection of Spotted-fever group and Typhus group Rickettsia.

The objective of this study is to develop a robust, field-grade, screening assay for the differential diagnosis of infection by Spotted Fevers (e.g. Rocky Mountain Spotted fever, Boutonneuse fever) and Typhus (Epidemic and Endemic forms) causing rickettsial bacteria. Scrub Typhus (Orientia tsutsugamushi) will be used as a reference control and may be incorporated into the final assay. In this Phase II component we will build on our Phase I studies and continue to identify antigens that will enable rapid detection of rickettsial infection with a high degree of sensitivity and specificity. We intend to accomplish these objectives using a bioinformatics and a novel proteomic display technique developed at InBios. We will also make use of a network of international collaborators who will provide reagents as well as sera from rickettsia-infected individuals as well as animals. The test will utilize lateral flow (dipstick) chromatography incorporated into a unique cassette that will enable the simultaneous screening of Spotted Fever, Typhus (and possibly Scrub Typhus) group organisms. The proposed immunochromatographic assay will be very useful for point-of-care screening and as differential diagnostic test to assess infection in deployed military and other personnel presenting with symptoms of infection.