Synthetic Peptide-Based Antigen Capture ELISA for Detecting Animal Rotaviruses

Background:
Rotavirus is a leading cause of diarrhea in both humans and animals worldwide where group A rotaviruses are responsible for approximately one-fourth of global mortality in young ones annually. Indian scenario in terms of animal mortality caused by rotavirus has not been testified so far due to the non-availability of economic diagnostic tools. The rapid and accurate diagnosis of rotavirus remains a major hurdle in rotavirus surveillance studies owing to the cost involved in commercially available diagnostic kits. Therefore, a rapid, accurate and cost-effective diagnostic assay for rotavirus to meet the present demand of the livestock industry, is in great need.

Technology Details:
This invention relates to the development of antigen capture ELISA for rotavirus antigen detection in faecal samples of different animal species. Mono-specific antibodies against the VP6 protein of bovine rotavirus are highly specific. The novel combination of anti-VP6 antibodies as coating and anti-multiple antigenic synthetic peptide (MAP) antibodies as detector antibodies identify the rotavirus antigen with high specificity and sensitivity. Therefore, makes this method a more useful diagnostic tool for screening a large number of samples in standard immunoassay procedures. The major solutions with this invention are:

• An indigenously developed kit for detecting rotavirus infection in animal species is made available with this invention.
• It is safe, as devoid of handling infectious material, the live virus.
• Possess high sensitivity so detecting rotavirus infection at even early stages of establishment
• Applicable in multiple species (Bovine, Sheep, Goat, Porcine, and Poultry), thus a single kit will work for all species
• Highly specific as no cross-reactivity with other enteric viruses
• Time and cost-effective making applicability for its use as screening test and eliminates need of importing ELISA kits which are costly.