Subclinical Mastitis Detection: Flourescence Assays for Proteases
Researchers at Kansas State University are developing a fluorescence assay that has the potential to detect early signs of preclinical and subclinical mastitis in dairy cattle. Early detection of preclinical and subclinical mastitis could help milk producers more effectively detect bacterial infections in order to administer therapeutic intervention strategies to stop the spread of mastitis throughout their herd and keep individual animals in production.Proteases are often released from leukocytes involved in acute or chronic inflammatory conditions such as mastitis, infections, arthritis, etc. This diagnostic assay is comprised of protease-sensitive cleavage sequences, which are used as linkers between two fluorophores (nanoparticles and/or organic or inorganic dyes). Optical (fluorescence) can be performed for quantitative determination of the proteases’ activities. For preclinical or subclinical mastitis detection, only small amounts of milk (1-2 ml) per animal are required. Samples would be sent to a central location (for example, a veterinary health center) for analysis using fluorescent plate readers. It may be possible to test bulk milk samples to ascertain herd health status.KSU is also developing a test strip to allow producers to detect subclinical mastitis on the farm. The advantages include extreme sensitivity and low cost.Advantages:Advantages of this IP over previous methods:Rapid diagnosticEasy to useInexpensiveApplications:This innovative technology can be used to:Detect otherwise undetectable early or chronic infections. For example, it could be used to detect preclinical or subclinical mastitis, or to otherwise assess milk quality.Patent StatusUS Patent Application #15/329,395 filed on January 26, 2017.Kansas State University Research Foundation seeks to have discussions with companies that are interested in licensing and/or research collaborations.Interested parties should contact:Kansas State University Institute for Commercialization (KSU-IC)2005 Research Park Circle Manhattan, KS 66502Tel: 785-532-3900 Fax: 785-532-3909E-Mail: ic@k-state.edu
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