Real-time RT-PCR Assay for the Detection of Rift Valley Fever Virus in Humans and Livestock

A quantitative RT-PCR-based assay has been developed to rapidly detect all known strains of Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV). RVFV infections occur in both humans and livestock animals resulting in significant mortality and economic loss. Upon outbreak, RVFV has been known to cause devastating loss among livestock (primarily sheep and cattle) with outbreaks characterized by sweeping "abortion storms" and elevation newborn animal mortality approaching 100% in affected areas. The CDC-developed assay is capable of detecting and quantifying RVFV infection in both human and veterinary samples.

Potential Commercial Applications:		Competitive Advantages:
Diagnostic assay for the detection of Rift Valley fever virus in human and veterinary samples Research tool to quantitatively measure viral load in laboratory specimens		Assay detects positive infections for 33 known variants of Rift Valley fever virus. Easily adaptable to kits for high-throughput screening of a large number of samples at once, useful for ensuring herd-health for example.

Development Stage:
In vitro data available

Inventors:

Brian Bird (CDC)  ➽ more inventions...

Stuart Nichol (CDC)  ➽ more inventions...


Intellectual Property:
US Application No. 60/869,324
Research Tool – Patent protection is not being pursued for this technology.

Publications:
Bird BH, et al. PMID 17192303
Bird BH, et al. PMID 18786992

Licensing Contact:
Tara Kirby, Ph.D.
Email: tara.kirby@nih.gov
Phone: 240-669-5128

OTT Reference No: E-187-2013/0
Updated: Jan 16, 2014