Field Test for CWD Being Developed

[IronNoggin]

Rather interesting news. Should alleviate most of the timeline lags if this works out!

University of Minnesota researchers develop novel, field-deployable test for CWD

University of Minnesota researchers at the Minnesota Center for Prion Research (MNPRO) have developed a novel approach to field testing chronic wasting disease (CWD). The team confirmed their findings in southeast Minnesota the week of March 8, 2021, making them the first-ever scientists to successfully deploy a CWD field test.

There are limited testing options available for CWD, leading scientists to investigate several new approaches with the hopes of obstructing the disease’s spread. Last spring, the MNPRO team worked with the Minnesota DNR to analyze tissue samples from CWD-positive white-tailed deer using a technique known as RT-QuIC. The team managed to obtain confirmation of protein-misfolding in just nine hours with that approach. Only a handful of labs currently have access to this top-of-the-line technology for CWD testing.

Now, the MNPRO researchers have developed a new assay that generates a color change of red for a positive CWD result and blue for negative. They have named the test “MN-QuIC” to honor the state of Minnesota, where the test was developed.

https://twin-cities.umn.edu/news-events/university-minnesota-researchers-develop-novel-field-deployable-test-cwd

 

[kc34]

Very interesting, thanks for posting.

 

[powdermaker]

Welcome news. CWD has been described as an epidemic in slow motion. I think this is a very apt description. When it first appeared in Saskatchewan, 25 years ago, we saw very few positive cases. The most recent studies reveal some zones with an over 50% infection rate in Mule deer. Having a rapid detection test would be very welcome. We are now sometimes waiting months to hear back from the lab. Personally, I haven't bothered getting anything tested because I don't want to hold the meat that long.
If these rapid tests were available at a reasonable cost, I would use it.
Thanks for posting.

 

[scruffee]

This is great news, even with a 24hr wait time as per the article, we're way ahead of the curve with regard to current wait times. I'd be very happy to have a personal kit which would give me a positive/negative answer within 24hr. Most people are still hanging the carcass or quarters at that stage anyway...

 

[Daver_II]

excellent

 

[kc34]

Welcome news. CWD has been described as an epidemic in slow motion. I think this is a very apt description. When it first appeared in Saskatchewan, 25 years ago, we saw very few positive cases. The most recent studies reveal some zones with an over 50% infection rate in Mule deer. Having a rapid detection test would be very welcome. We are now sometimes waiting months to hear back from the lab. Personally, I haven't bothered getting anything tested because I don't want to hold the meat that long.
If these rapid tests were available at a reasonable cost, I would use it.
Thanks for posting.

Exactly. I had the free test done by Alberta Fish & Wildlife on my Mule deer buck from last fall and IIRC it was all of 2 months to get the results back.
As you say hopefully they can be produce in enough numbers that the cost to buy per test is reasonable.

This is great news, even with a 24hr wait time as per the article, we're way ahead of the curve with regard to current wait times. I'd be very happy to have a personal kit which would give me a positive/negative answer within 24hr. Most people are still hanging the carcass or quarters at that stage anyway...

Very true. Leave it hang for a few days and do the test and have results back before you even begin processing!

 

[45ACPKING]

Rather interesting news. Should alleviate most of the timeline lags if this works out!

University of Minnesota researchers develop novel, field-deployable test for CWD

University of Minnesota researchers at the Minnesota Center for Prion Research (MNPRO) have developed a novel approach to field testing chronic wasting disease (CWD). The team confirmed their findings in southeast Minnesota the week of March 8, 2021, making them the first-ever scientists to successfully deploy a CWD field test.

There are limited testing options available for CWD, leading scientists to investigate several new approaches with the hopes of obstructing the disease’s spread. Last spring, the MNPRO team worked with the Minnesota DNR to analyze tissue samples from CWD-positive white-tailed deer using a technique known as RT-QuIC. The team managed to obtain confirmation of protein-misfolding in just nine hours with that approach. Only a handful of labs currently have access to this top-of-the-line technology for CWD testing.

Now, the MNPRO researchers have developed a new assay that generates a color change of red for a positive CWD result and blue for negative. They have named the test “MN-QuIC” to honor the state of Minnesota, where the test was developed.

https://twin-cities.umn.edu/news-ev...chers-develop-novel-field-deployable-test-cwd

I watched a tv show that included a segment on the development of CWD field tests using prion research. Very fascinating stuff.
Be very cool when they finally have a way to cure the disease by mass innoculating deer and elk by way of strategically placed feeding stations. I think this is where the research is taking them.

 

[IronNoggin]

... Be very cool when they finally have a way to cure the disease by mass innoculating deer and elk by way of strategically placed feeding stations. I think this is where the research is taking them.

Certainly hoping so!!!

 

[Desjard]

Hope this works out would be awesome