Roadmap for the development of diagnostic tests for coronaviruses

Host-pathogen interactions

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Host-pathogen interactions

Research Question

Host pathogen interaction for developing a realistic diagnostic tool to address susceptible (7A) and Immune (7D)

Susceptibility and pathogenesis of sarbecoviruses/merbecoviruses and embecoviruses etc is not completely understood.
Signs due to immunopathology rather than virus specific pathology
Distinguishing previous cross-reactive antibodies on ELISAs (e.g. Canine CoV inducing Ab which can be detected on Feline CoV test makes difficult to distinguish between exposure to different Coronavirus)
Ct values on molecular tests do not correlate to infectious status
Possible combination of assays including molecular and antibody tests to determine true status

Establishment of both in vitro and in vivo testing platforms, focusing on organoid and animal models
Use of sgRNA (or replication intermediate) detection to supplement serological testing
Use of virus isolation to demonstrate infectious virus is within the sample as can’t rely on qRT-PCR ct values (needs BSL3)

Identification of entry receptors for specific CoV in different animal species
Suitable testing platforms
Organoids and tissue engineering to study coronavirus interactions in relevant hosts