HIV-2 Plasmid DNA Library for Diagnostic Assay Development

This technology includes a HIV-2 plasmid library for use in diagnostic assay development. In December of 2012, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) proposed a new US laboratory testing algorithm for the diagnosis of HIV infections. This new algorithm recommends additional testing for confirmation of HIV infection using a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) in the event of discordant serological test results.

Enterobacteriaceae Strains for Accelerate Diagnostics Licensing

This technology includes a repository of unique Enterobacteriaceae isolates for various therapeutic and diagnostic uses:

Enterobacter cloacae (Known Acquired Resistance: NDM-1) – Strain 0038

Klebsiella pneumoniae (Known Acquired Resistance: CTX-M-14) – Strain 0079

Citrobacter freundii (Known Acquired Resistance: KPC-2) – Strain 0116

Escherichia coli (Known Acquired Resistance: NDM-1) – Strain 0118

Klebsiella pneumoniae (Known Acquired Resistance: NDM-1) – Strain 0148

Escherichia coli (Known Acquired Resistance: NDM-5) – Strain 0150

Diagnostic Real-time TaqMan® PCR for Human Adenovirus Type 4

This technology includes a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay using hydrolysis probe (TaqMan®) chemistry which was developed for detection and type-specific identification of human adenovirus type 4 (HAd4) genomic DNA in clinical specimens. The assay uses unique oligonucleotide primer and probes designed to conserved regions of the HAd4 hexon protein gene. Assay reagents and amplification conditions were optimized and sensitivity and specificity characteristics determined with DNA extracts from multiple HAd4 laboratory strains and other respiratory viral pathogens.

Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) and Glucocorticoid Antagonist for Gulf War Illness-Associated Homeostatic Reset

This technology includes therapeutics for Gulf War Illness (GWI). (GWI) patient symptoms, clinical laboratory tests and computational analyses of results from genomic, immunological, autonomic and endocrine changes in animal models therapeutic target were narrowed down to tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and Glucocorticoid receptor for a carefully timed “two hit” treatment model, manipulating cytokine mediated inflammation and the HPA axis.

Streptococcus pneumoniae Invasive and Non-invasive Clinical Isolates for Various Diagnostic and Therapeutic Uses

This technology includes Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates collected through CDC’s Global Strain Bank project with particular serotypes. They were collected as part of routine clinical and surveillance activities and have a wide variety of uses including research, diagnostic, and the development of therapeutics.

Mycoplasma-free PV and SAD/ERA Virus Stocks for Rabies Vaccine Manufacturing

This technology includes mycoplasma-free PV (isolated in 1882) and SAD/ERA (isolated in 1935) virus stock for rabies vaccine development. Rabies virus causes a nearly uniformly fatal disease, but can be prevented by timely vaccination. Two of the most common rabies virus vaccine strains are PV and SAD/ERA, both of which have had extensive passaging in both animals and subsequently cultivation in cells. The rabies vaccine virus stocks stored at CDC are heavily contaminated by mycoplasma.

Hybridomas and Mouse Monoclonal Antibodies for Marburg and Lassa Virus Identification

This technology includes eight mouse monoclonal antibodies (mAb) and their corresponding hybridomas used for the Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) detection and identification of Marburg (3) and Lassa (5) virus antigens. Lateral flow assays for hemorrhagic fevers are being developed in response to the Ebola outbreak. Our cocktail can identify different proteins for each virus; Marburg viral proteins 35 and 40 (VP35, VP40) and Lassa nucleoprotein (NP) and glycoprotein (G2). All known Marburg and Lassa viruses can be captured in the ELISA assay.

Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus (Nairovirus) Replicon Particles System-based Vaccine Candidate

This technology includes a new reverse genetics-based approach that generates Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHF) viral replicon particles (CCHF VRPs) to be developed into a vaccine for CCHFV. With mortality rates as high as 80% and with no FDA-approved vaccines or therapeutics, CCHFV is considered a dangerous emerging human pathogen. Unlike transcriptionally competent virus like particles (tc-VLPs), that only include CCHFV virus proteins and minigenome RNA, VRPs undergo one full round of replication closely mimicking authentic viral replication.

Identifying Inhibitors of Highly-pathogenic Arenaviruses Through Minigenome and Recombinant Virus Reporter Systems

This technology includes a novel minigenome assay for arenaviruses that allows for high-throughput screening (HTS) of potential antiviral compounds. To complement to minigenome assay, we have also developed a technique to generate recombinant arenaviruses expressing a reporter protein to allow to HTS of antiviral compounds at BSL-4. This allows for confirmation of potential hits identified by the initial minigenome screen. Human infections with some Arenaviruses such as Lassa (LASV) and Junin (JUNV) virus can result in viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) disease.