Diagnosis of Strongylus vulgaris infection in horses - 1871
- *Abstract
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Overview
Strongylus vulgaris, also known as the blood worm, is a common horse parasite and is found worldwide. Depending on the severity of the infection, the horse may suffer from diarrhea, weakness, anorexia, anemia, abdominal discomfort, colic, ruptured intestines, and even death.
Previous methods of detection of S. vulgaris infection was through the use of microscopic or quantitativePCR identification of eggs in samples of feces of horses. No diagnostic test was available fordetection of the parasite during its six-month long prepatent phase, where itmigrates in blood vessels of the horse and causes substantial damage. As such, there is a need for improvedidentification of prepatent S. vulgarisinfection in horses.
Invention
UK researchers are developing a method for identification ofprepatent S. vulgaris through use ofpolypeptides. A sample is obtained fromthe subject believed to be infected with S.vulgaris and is contacted with a polypeptide between 115-145 amino acidresidues in length. An enzyme-linkedimmunosorbent assay (ELISA) allows for detection of the polypeptide, identifyingthe presence of an S. vulgarisinfection. Detection of the polypeptidecan also be carried out through the use and detection of an epitope tag thatbinds to the polypeptide. The S. vulgarisinfection can be identified from either blood or serum samples.
Advantages
- can diagnose S.vulgaris infection during the prepatent period
- enables better control of the parasite throughearlier identification
IP Status: U.S. Patent No. 8,951,741
- Country/Region
- USA
