Diagnostics & Biomarkers
Field Test for Mycobacterial Infections
WARF: P150020US02
Inventors: Adel Talaat
The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation is seeking commercial partners interested in developing a method for the early diagnosis and differentiation of mycobacterial infections in livestock.
Overview
Mycobacterial infections cause major health problems for people and animals, including human tuberculosis, bovine tuberculosis and Johne’s disease. Johne’s disease (or paratuberculosis) afflicts 91 percent of dairy herds in the U.S. and costs the industry an estimated $500 million every year. Bovine tuberculosis, which is caused by a different subspecies of the bacteria, is endemic in dairy herds and a threat to wildlife in many developed countries including the U.S., U.K. and Australia.
Current diagnostic tests miss the early stages of infection and cannot differentiate infected from vaccinated animals (the DIVA principle). Early and reliable detection is imperative to control the infection in herds.
Current diagnostic tests miss the early stages of infection and cannot differentiate infected from vaccinated animals (the DIVA principle). Early and reliable detection is imperative to control the infection in herds.
The Invention
A UW–Madison researcher has identified a set of biomarkers that can indicate whether a mammal is vaccinated or infected, as well as the type of infection (bovine tuberculosis or Johne’s disease).
Applications
- Diagnostic methods that can identify and distinguish between animals that have been infected and those that have been vaccinated, as well as clarify the nature of the infection
- Kits for farmers/veterinarians
Key Benefits
- Early stage detection
- Could be used in the field (point-of-care assay)
- Distinguishes between vaccination and infection
- Identifies type of infection (bovine tuberculosis or Johne’s disease)
- Could encourage the adoption of new vaccines
Stage of Development
The researcher has established a set of markers that can be used for the early diagnosis of Johne’s disease in ruminants (e.g., cattle, goats, sheep and camels).
The development of this technology was supported by the WARF Accelerator Program. The Accelerator Program selects WARF’s most commercially promising technologies and provides expert assistance and funding to enable achievement of commercially significant milestones. WARF believes that these technologies are especially attractive opportunities for licensing.
The development of this technology was supported by the WARF Accelerator Program. The Accelerator Program selects WARF’s most commercially promising technologies and provides expert assistance and funding to enable achievement of commercially significant milestones. WARF believes that these technologies are especially attractive opportunities for licensing.
Additional Information
For More Information About the Inventors
Related Technologies
Tech Fields
For current licensing status, please contact Emily Bauer at [javascript protected email address] or 608-960-9842