Development Of National Protocols For The Detection Of SARS Human Coronavirus
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$99,650.00
Summary
This work aims to develop and to establish the accuracy of laboratory tests for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) suitable for use and for production in Australia. Accurate and timely laboratory testing will be important in detecting imported SARS cases, and preventing establishment of the disease in Australia. SARS is a severe, readily transmissible chest infection that first appeared in Southern China in November 2002. It has subsequently spread to 29 countries causing a total of 7747 c ....This work aims to develop and to establish the accuracy of laboratory tests for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) suitable for use and for production in Australia. Accurate and timely laboratory testing will be important in detecting imported SARS cases, and preventing establishment of the disease in Australia. SARS is a severe, readily transmissible chest infection that first appeared in Southern China in November 2002. It has subsequently spread to 29 countries causing a total of 7747 cases and 552 deaths by mid May 2003. The greatest impact has been in China, with Canada the most severely affected country outside Asia. Approximately 15 percent of cases are fatal overall, with death rates increasing with age up to 50 percent over 65 years. There is, as yet, no specific cure or vaccine. The cause is a previously unknown coronavirus, a close relative of human common cold viruses. It spreads readily via contact with respiratory secretions, coughing and sneezing, and possibly in faeces. The virus is able to persist in the environment for days. An international network of WHO laboratories has made rapid progress in developing laboratory tests. Although this expertise will assist Australia in developing its own laboratory capability, Australia's laboratory test needs cannot be met from overseas. SARS laboratory tests and protocols will be developed in Australia over a 3-month period by a consortium of expert Australian laboratories. These include the Victorian Infectious Disease Reference Laboratory, the Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research at Westmead Hospital, CSIRO's Australian Animal Health Laboratory, the Cooperative Research Centre for Diagnostics, and the Western Australian Centre for Pathology and Medical Research. Tests will include methods for detection of the SARS virus in specimens, and detection of antibodies to SARS in the blood. Production of some key reagents by genetic engineering techniques is intended to improve their availability. Robustness of test methods in a diagnostic laboratory setting will be evaluated, and a quality assurance program will be implemented. An expert advisory group will assist in the development of test performance and interpretation protocols.Read moreRead less
Development Of Rapid, Sensitive & Cost Effective Technology For The Diagnosis Of SARS Using Rolling Circle Amplification
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$64,187.00
Summary
This project will develop two molecular diagnostic methods to detect the SARS virus. One will be based on a commonly used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology for viruses and the other will be based on a newly RNA amplification method, rolling chain amplification (RCA). Using RCA will provide a sensitive, contamination-free and reliable test during early stages of SARS virus infection that is not currently available.It is important to study the viral evolution and mutations by monitoring c ....This project will develop two molecular diagnostic methods to detect the SARS virus. One will be based on a commonly used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology for viruses and the other will be based on a newly RNA amplification method, rolling chain amplification (RCA). Using RCA will provide a sensitive, contamination-free and reliable test during early stages of SARS virus infection that is not currently available.It is important to study the viral evolution and mutations by monitoring changes occurring in the virus. These changes are critical in defining the origin of the virus, its movements, and predicting changing patterns in pathogenesis of particular viral strains. As these analyses involve a variety of primary strains of SARS from patients, the issue of viral variability in relation to diagnosis can be addressed well through the proposed study. Together, these data may prove to be useful in future vaccine development, as has been evident from a number of flu viruses. Viral load during the course of disease will be used to predict disease prognosis and also to identify super-spreaders as they may carry large amount of virus but have less severe clinical symptoms. This project will be a milestone in molecular diagnosis, not only for the SARS virus, but also to other viral diseases such as HIV.Read moreRead less