Point-of-care platform for diagnosis via LAMP-CRISPR-Cas12a of Avian Reovirus (ARV) and Infectious Bursal Disease Virus (IBDV).

• Grant number: 25/09023-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: August 01, 2025
• End date: July 31, 2029
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Preventive Veterinary Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Clarice Weis Arns
• Grantee: Pedro Augusto Freire de Sá Pontes
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/11968-2 - Center of Technological Plataform on Animal Health, AP.CCD

Abstract

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (2024), Brazil maintains its position as the largest exporter and third-largest producer of chicken meat globally, achieved through rigorous sanitary control of national poultry flocks. Among the challenges to poultry farming, Avian Reovirus (ARV) and Infectious Bursal Disease Virus (IBDV) stand out as etiological agents causing tenosynovitis, arthritis, and immunosuppression, which significantly impact the poultry industry. Recent studies demonstrate that variants of these pathogens circulate in Brazilian territory, compromising the efficacy of conventional control strategies (DE FRAGA et al., 2019; LUNGE et al., 2022). Control of these diseases is primarily based on preventive measures, emphasizing vaccination and biosecurity, as there is currently no specific treatment for these pathogens in commercial birds (GAMBLE; SELLERS, 2022; GAO et al., 2024). The most widely used molecular diagnostic method for these two viruses, considered the gold standard, is Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) (LI et al., 2020). However, this technology requires specialized labor and high investment in equipment and logistics. Thus, the development of a rapid diagnostic method for identifying these pathogens is essential to avoid economic losses and effectively control viral transmission in commercial poultry. The innovation proposed in this project lies in integrating the LAMP technique with CRISPR-Cas12a technology to increase test sensitivity and specificity, combined with NALFIA technology for rapid and in loco visualization of results.