Receptor Mimics for Rapid Detection, Typing, and Susceptibility Testing of Influe

University Of Cincinnati, Cincinnati OH

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Disease burden due to influenza is significant. The 2009 H1N1 pandemic is unfolding as this proposal is being written. As of August 23, 2009, over 209,438 laboratory-confirmed cases of 2009 H1N1 influenza viruses with at least 2,185 deaths have been reported by the World Health Organization. Rapid, accurate, point-of-care detection kits that possess the capability to test for susceptibility of the virus to current antivirals are critical in our fight against this deadly virus. The objective of this proposal is to develop novel glycan based diagnostic platforms that target the viral glycoproteins, Hemagglutinin (HA) and Neuraminidase (NA), which are abundant (~50 copies of tetrameric NA and 300 copies of trimeric HA) on the surface of the virion. The rationale for this proposal is that a well designed glycan microarray platform will yield a fingerprint pattern of recognition on exposure to the virus. The novelty of this proposal is that susceptibility to Tamiflu(r) and Relenza(r), can be rapidly evaluated without the time consuming need to identify and characterize an emerging strain. In Specific Aim 1, we will generate a library of glycans to capture and assess antiviral susceptibility of influenza. In Specific Aim 2, we will develop different diagnostic platforms to capture and type influenza strains. We will also develop tests to determine sensitivity or resistance to antiviral agents. These tests are especially important since there is currently no method to rapidly detect and assess antiviral susceptibility before the genomic sequence for antiviral resistance mutations has been determined. In Specific Aim 3, we will evaluate the different platforms using clinical samples. Specifically, we will examine the robustness, sensitivity, and selectivity of the diagnostic platforms using clinical samples isolated from infected patients and assess antiviral susceptibility. Accomplishing the specific aims in this proposal is expected to yield rapid, robust, point of care, user friendly diagnostics for the precise detection and differentiation of different influenza strains.