Preclinical Drug Development & Diagnostic Service for Camel Contagious Ecthyma (Ausdyk) Virus

Overview

The Camel Contagious Ecthyma Virus (CaCV) belongs to the Parapoxvirus genus and represents a major disease-causing agent that affects camels. This viral infection results in contagious ecthyma, which shows up mainly as skin lesions on the lips and mouth along with other mucous membranes. The disease easily transfers between hosts through physical touch or materials carrying the infection. The clinical manifestation of the disease includes scabby lesions and swelling, along with occasional systemic symptoms such as fever and loss of appetite. The infection resolves on its own, but it can lead to bacterial infections and financial damage to camel farms. Camel Contagious Ecthyma belongs to the parapoxvirus family like orf infections in sheep and goats, yet remains exclusive to camels. The development of effective vaccines and knowledge about their pathogenesis is vital to control outbreaks in areas that depend on camels for transportation and livestock products. Creative Biolabs provides full-scope preclinical research services for virus research, which involve viral isolation and characterization, together with efficacy testing for vaccines or antiviral treatments. We evaluate immune responses in animal models, which generates essential data to advance therapeutic approaches for infectious diseases such as Camel Contagious Ecthyma.

Fig.1 Contagious ecthyma lesions on the lips of a dromedary camel.¹

Accelerated Camel Contagious Ecthyma (Ausdyk) Virus Preclinical Research Services

• For Therapeutics Development

In Vitro Antiviral Efficacy Assays

• Cytotoxicity Assays: To assess the potential toxicity of the drug to cultured cells.
• Viral Entry Inhibition: Testing whether the therapeutic agent prevents the virus from entering the host cell.
• Neutralization Assays: Assesses whether antibodies or antiviral drugs can neutralize the virus.

In Vivo Efficacy Studies (Animal Models)

• Animal Infection Model Setup: Development of a CaCV infection model in animals, typically involving intradermal or subcutaneous inoculation of CaCV.
• Dose-Response Studies: Evaluation of the therapeutic agent at different doses to assess its effectiveness and therapeutic index.
• Clinical Observation: Monitoring the animals for any signs of disease progression, such as lesions, fever, and weight loss.
• Histopathological Analysis: Evaluation of tissues (e.g., skin lesions, lymph nodes) for signs of infection and therapeutic effects.
• Viral Load Measurement: Quantifying viral titers in tissues, blood, and lesions using PCR, culture methods, or viral load assays.

• For Diagnostics Development

Antigen Detection Assays

• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA): Detects viral antigens using specific antibodies against CaCV proteins. It can be used to identify viral presence in skin lesions, blood, or other biological samples.
• Lateral Flow Assays (LFA): These are rapid diagnostic tests often used for field-based detection. They utilize antibodies that bind to viral antigens in the sample, producing a visible result in a short time.
• Immunohistochemistry (IHC): This assay is used to detect viral antigens in tissue sections, especially in skin lesions or infected tissues, by visualizing antigen-antibody interactions under a microscope.
• Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA): Uses fluorescent-labeled antibodies to detect viral antigens within cells, typically in cultured cells or animal tissues. This provides a more sensitive and specific approach compared to conventional IHC.

Nucleic Acid Detection Assays

• Quantitative PCR (qPCR): Allows for quantification of the viral load, which can be important for diagnosing active infection or monitoring disease progression.
• Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP): A rapid nucleic acid amplification method that operates at a constant temperature, making it more accessible for field diagnostics compared to traditional PCR.
• Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS): Used for comprehensive genome analysis, this method can detect new variants of the virus and provide insight into viral evolution and mutation.
• Southern or Northern Blotting: These are less commonly used but can be employed for more detailed genetic analysis to confirm the presence of viral sequences in biological samples.

Antibody Detection Assays (Serology)

• Indirect ELISA: A variation of ELISA where the primary antibody (against CaCV) is detected by a secondary antibody specific to the host's antibody.
• Western Blot for Antibodies: Used to confirm the specificity of antibody responses by separating viral proteins and detecting bound antibodies in the serum of the infected animal.
• Lateral Flow Immunoassays (LFIAs): Like antigen detection LFA, but these tests detect antibodies in the animal’s serum or plasma, providing quick results for large-scale screening.
• Immunofluorescence Assays (IFA): Serological tests that detect antibodies binding to viral antigens, using fluorescently labeled secondary antibodies. Often used for a more direct visualization of the immune response in tissue samples.

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Applications

Advantages

1. Access to Animal Models: The availability of established animal models and preclinical trial facilities enables these companies to perform better preclinical and in vivo studies for developing vaccines and therapeutics.

2. Regulatory Expertise: We possess regulatory knowledge for veterinary products, which helps them meet international and local standards and accelerates the approval process.

3. Scalability and Flexibility: We deliver scalable testing solutions that go from virus characterization in initial stages to extensive testing while accommodating the specific requirements and financial limits of companies.

4. Epidemiological Insights: These services help companies monitor viral outbreaks and analyze epidemiological patterns while creating targeted solutions to manage viral diseases in different regions.

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