Development of Rapid Diagnostic Kits for Diseases and Evaluation of Vaccination Efficacy in Nile Tilapia

• Grant number: 25/05872-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: June 01, 2025
• End date: May 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Fishery Resources and Fishery Engineering - Aquaculture
• Principal Investigator: Leonardo Tachibana
• Grantee: Camila Henrique Pinto
• Host Institution: Instituto de Pesca. Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios (APTA). Secretaria de Agricultura e Abastecimento (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/11955-8 - Solutions for emerging diseases in fish farming: diagnosis, vaccines and breeding, AP.CCD

Abstract

The objective of this project is to develop rapid diagnostic kits for detecting emerging diseases caused by Francisella orientalis (FO) and the Infectious Spleen and Kidney Necrosis Virus (ISKNV) in Nile tilapia, using chromatographic immunoassay technology with monoclonal antibodies labeled with nanogold. Additionally, an ELISA kit will be developed for detecting and quantifying IgM in fish after vaccination. The work plan includes the production of polyclonal antibodies in rabbits, performing double diffusion tests to confirm the antigen-antibody reaction, assembling and standardizing immunochromatographic tests using nitrocellulose strips, purifying tilapia IgM, conducting ELISA tests to evaluate the kit's sensitivity, and carrying out experiments to assess vaccination efficacy. The experiments will involve oral and intramuscular administration of the DNA vaccine, as well as comparing different administration methods and vaccine types (DNA and inactivated), with an evaluation of the relative protection of the vaccines. The timeline for the first year includes adapting the facilities, developing FO and ISKNV kits, conducting analyses, and preparing a partial report. In the second year, the plan includes preparing the laboratory, developing ELISA FO and ISKNV kits, and preparing the final report. The project's justification highlights advances in fish farming health, mitigation of emerging diseases, and the technical and scientific development of the student, contributing to professional training and improvement.