Media.Player

Novel disease-causing feline picornavirus

Summary

Lead Inventors: Amit Kapoor, Ph.D., Walter Ian Lipkin, Edward J. Dubovi Problem or Unmet Need:When animals are brought into veterinary clinics with disease symptoms, it is important to obtain accurate diagnoses in order to provide effective treatments. In particular, cats and dogs can suffer from a similar array of diseases as humans, including bacterial and viral infections. For cats, a family of viruses known as picornaviruses (caliciviruses) can cause serious respiratory disease. Diagnosis of this type of viral infection can be difficult since symptoms may be similar to other diseases. Specific tests include polymerase chain reaction (PCR), virus culture and assays with antibodies against the virus. There are also vaccines against feline pathogens, including caliciviruses, although some suffer from poor efficacy. Beyond known pathogens, unknown/unstudied pathogens would be difficult to treat due to the lack of diagnostics. This technology describes the discovery of a novel picornavirus species (Picornaviridae family) in cats suffering from multiple organ failure and wasting diseases. This new virus is significantly different from currently known viruses and is likely to infect cats as well as other mammalian species, including dogs. The technology includes the genetic and protein sequences, which can be used to develop diagnostic assays, vaccines and cell/animal models of infection.

Technology Benefits

Can be applied to both cats and dogs since the new virus can infect both species May also apply for other mammalian pet species Genetic and molecular data available

Technology Application

Development of veterinary diagnostic assays for infection by the virus (e.g. serology, PCR) Development of a vaccine against the virus, to prevent infection or ameliorate symptoms Development of cell culture and animal models of picornavirus infection Development of reagents for picornavirus research (e.g. antibodies)

Detailed Technology Description

This technology describes the discovery of a novel picornavirus species (Picornaviridae family) in cats suffering from multiple organ failure and wasting diseases. This new virus is significantly different from currently known viruses and is likely t...

*Abstract

None

*Inquiry

Ron Katz Columbia Technology Ventures Tel: (212) 854-8444 Email: TechTransfer@columbia.edu

*IR

2939

*Principal Investigator

Country/Region

USA