Home Coronaviruses [Host-pathogen interactions] Host-pathogen interactions
Coronaviruses roadmap:
Diagnostic Tests

Roadmap for the development of diagnostic tests for coronaviruses

Download 202410 Draft Coronavirus Diagnostic Development_Final

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Host-pathogen interactions

Host-pathogen interactions

Research Question

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

Research Gaps and Challenges

  • 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

Solution Routes

  • 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)

Dependencies

  • 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