Standardization of the digital PCR technique for rabies diagnosis compared to the IFD, PB and RT-qPCR techniques

• Grant number: 21/13284-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: March 01, 2022
• End date: February 28, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Preventive Veterinary Medicine
• Principal Investigator: João Pessoa Araújo Junior
• Grantee: Beatriz Helena Ferrari
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biotecnologia (IBTEC). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Rabies is a zoonosis caused by an RNA virus. Its transmission occurs from the saliva of infected mammals, especially bats. The disease causes acute encephalitis and is lethal, causing 59,000 human deaths annually. The economy of countries is also affected due to expenditure on treatment, control and losses in livestock. For diagnosis, the World Health Organization and the World Organization for Animal Health recommend direct immunofluorescence (DIF) concomitant with biological testing (BP). However, molecular techniques, such as qPCR and digital PCR (dPCR) prove to be rapid tests that detect the agent even in low amounts. Thus, the present study seeks to standardize the preparation of rabies samples for dPCR, in order to bring new possibilities for diagnosing this disease.