Building testing capacity for past and current SARS-CoV-2 infection in animals with potential exposure to humans with COVID-19

University Of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison WI

Investigators

Abstract

Project Abstract The goal of this proposal is to build testing capacity at the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (WVDL) to perform serology detection and whole genome sequencing of SARS- CoV-2 from animal samples. We are requesting funding for the purchase of reagents and equipment to validate the SARS-CoV-2 Surrogate Virus Neutralization Test kit (GenScript) as a multi-species diagnostic serology assay, with specific focus on the detection of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 virus in companion animals. As part of a proposed Genomic Consortium, we are requesting funds to purchase a QIAxcel Adnavced System (Qiagen) and a MinION (Oxford Nanopore) Enhanced Pack to validate library preparation and sequencing kits for iSeq (Illumina) and MinION for targeted SARS-CoV-2 sequencing. We will participate in the development and validation of bioinformatics pipelines that will be made accessible to veterinary diagnostic personnel to quickly and efficiently determine genomic lineages, and develop a staff training and development program to maintain proficiency in sequencing and to analyze the SARS-COV-2 genome. Together, we aim to have a validated multi-species serological diagnostic assay and trained staff with streamline workflow for whole genome sequence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus detected in animal specimens, to increase our capacity and capability to support diagnostic activities for the ongoing global SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. In turn, the acquired equipment and training will help building WVDL?s readiness to response to potentially other important future veterinary disease outbreaks that are important to human food safety and animal welfare.