Comprehensive Drug Discovery & Diagnostic Service for Chamois Contagious Ecthyma Virus

Overview

The Chamois Contagious Ecthyma Virus (CEV) is a member of the Poxviridae family within the Parapoxvirus genus. The virus mainly affects both wild and domestic goats and sheep, along with other ruminant species, including chamois, a type of goat-antelope. Contagious ecthyma or orf disease emerges from the virus through painful scaly skin lesions that show up on the lips and face and target the udders. These skin lesions typically resolve on their own but may lead to bacterial infections and decreased productivity, along with compromised animal welfare. The virus spreads rapidly through physical contact with infected animals or exposure to contaminated surroundings. CEV is capable of infecting humans, especially those who handle infected animals, yet it typically produces mild lesions. The prevention of outbreaks requires management through supportive care methods alongside vaccination programs and biosecurity protocols. Creative Biolabs provides complete preclinical research services specifically for CEV investigations. We deliver virus characterization services along with pathogenesis research and both vaccine production and antiviral testing capabilities. Through the use of advanced technology and animal models, we gain an essential understanding of viral behavior and host interactions, which speeds up the creation of both effective treatments and preventive measures.

Fig.1 Ecthyma outbreaks: clinical diagnosis and molecular confirmation.¹

Accelerated CEV Preclinical Research Services (Therapeutics & Diagnostics)

• For Therapeutics Development

In Vitro Antiviral Efficacy Assays

• Viral Entry and Fusion Inhibition Assays: Testing the ability of the therapeutic to block the virus from entering the host cell or fusing with it.
• Post-infection Treatment Assays: Evaluating the potential for therapeutics to reduce viral titers after infection has occurred.
• Immunofluorescence Assays (IFA): To assess viral protein expression and its localization within cells.
• Flow Cytometry: To quantify the percentage of infected cells or to assess changes in cell viability.
• ELISA or Western Blot: For the detection of viral proteins or cytokine production, which may indicate the immune response triggered by the infection.

In Vivo Efficacy Studies (Animal Models)

• Animal Model Selection: Choosing the most appropriate animal model that mimics CEV infection, which may include small animal models (like mice, rats, or rabbits) or larger animals (goats, sheep, or non-human primates), depending on the virus and the target therapeutic.
• Dose-Response Studies: Evaluating different doses of the therapeutic agent to determine the effective dose range and any dose-limiting toxicities.
• Survival Studies: Monitoring the survival rate of animals treated with the therapeutic compared to untreated or vehicle-treated controls.
• Clinical Scoring: Using predefined scales to assess clinical symptoms (lesions, weight loss, fever, etc.) and determine the therapeutic efficacy in reducing symptoms.
• Viral Titer Analysis: Assessing the viral load in tissues, serum, or nasal swabs at different time points post-treatment using PCR, plaque assays, or qPCR.

• For Diagnostics Development

Antigen Detection Assays

• Lateral Flow Immunoassays (LFIAs): These are rapid, point-of-care tests that can detect viral antigens in the field or clinical settings.
• Immunohistochemistry (IHC): Detects viral antigens in tissue sections, allowing for localization of the virus within infected tissues (e.g., skin lesions).
• Western Blotting: Identifies specific viral proteins by using antibodies that bind to CEV-specific antigens.
• Fluorescent Antibody Assays: Used to identify viral antigens in infected cells by labeling antibodies with fluorescent markers.

Nucleic Acid Detection Assays

• Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP): A rapid and sensitive molecular technique that amplifies CEV nucleic acids without the need for thermal cycling. It is typically faster and can be used in field diagnostics.
• Nucleic Acid Hybridization Assays: Involve probes that bind to specific CEV nucleic acid sequences, often used in conjunction with PCR or in situ hybridization techniques.
• Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS): Provides a comprehensive view of the viral genome, which helps detect genetic variation or identify potential novel strains of CEV.

Antibody Detection Assays (Serology)

• Western Blotting: Detects antibodies against specific CEV proteins, often used for confirmatory testing after ELISA.
• Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA): Detects antibodies in animal serum using viral antigens fixed on a slide, followed by fluorescence detection.
• Neutralization Assay: Measures the ability of antibodies in serum to neutralize CEV in vitro, confirming the presence of functional antibodies.
• Hemagglutination Inhibition (HI) Assay: Measures the ability of antibodies to inhibit the agglutination of red blood cells by viral antigens, a useful diagnostic for antibody detection in some animal models.
• Complement Fixation Test: A traditional method for detecting specific antibodies that activate the complement system when bound to viral antigens.

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Products for CEV Research

The research product market for CEV expands due to growing demand for diagnostic tools, antiviral treatments, and vaccines. The current product range contains PCR kits designed for viral detection and antigen detection assays for quick field testing, along with serological tests used to check previous infections. Research reagents and animal models to analyze viral pathogenesis and host immune responses remain in high demand.

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Applications

Advantages

1. Expertise and Experience: Our team of expert scientists and researchers applies extensive knowledge in virology, immunology, and therapeutic development to deliver precise and dependable outcomes for your virus-related projects.

2. Comprehensive Solutions: Our end-to-end services cover virus characterization, diagnostics development, vaccine creation, antiviral screening, and preclinical studies to propel your research from discovery stages to practical application.

3. State-of-the-Art Technology: Our services integrate modern technologies, including high-throughput screening platforms alongside advanced PCR and animal model systems to fulfill current scientific and industrial standards.

4. Customized Approach: Our research services are customized to match client requirements, which deliver specialized solutions for virus research across antiviral testing, vaccine effectiveness evaluation, and diagnostic assay development.

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