Development of a multiplexed point-of-care assay for the detection of infectious agents causing fever in deployed soldiers.

VecTOR Test Systems, Inc. will develop the rapid assay for detection of infectious agents causing fever in deployed soldiers in the field. The proposed assays will be performed in a staggered step protocol: First would be to broadly detect the presence of any the main causative group of pathogens by identification of pathogen antigen or immunological/serological response to infection of Malaria, Flavivirus, Salmonella, Leptospira or the Rickettsial pathogens. Based on the results of this assay, a second assay can be performed to confirm and identify the species or type of causative agent from the group identified in the first step assay. The technology is based on the simple and reliable wicking immuno-chromatographic detection method by which sensitive test-strip based assays provide results in less than 30 minutes. The proposed assays will be stable at ambient storage conditions.