Author
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Skoda, Steven |
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Submitted to: APHIS-ARS-Mexico US Commission for the Eradication of Screwworm Meeting
Publication Type: Other Publication Acceptance Date: 3/27/2000 Publication Date: 3/27/2000 Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: The following interpretive summary refers to the (1st of 6)invited oral presentation given by Dr. Skoda at the APHIS-ARS-Mexico US Commission for the Eradication of Screwworm Meeting, March 2000. Screwworms, obligatory parasites of warm-blooded animals including humans, feed on their host's living tissue and cause severe debilitation or death. Other fly larvae that are not pests often co-inhabit animal wounds. Particularly in their early stages, these flies are very difficult to identify. Screwworms, once considered very important pests in the U.S., have been eradicated from the U.S., Mexico and most of Central America. But the prevalence of screwwoms in South America and the Caribbean provide a constant threat of reentry to the U.S. by means of travel or trade. In fact, reentry has occurred multiple times over the years. If not detected immediately, a costly eradication program must be used to eliminate the screwworm infestation. We have developed monoclonal antibodies to identify screwworms and these antibodies have been used in a prototype identification kit. This prototype was used to demonstrate to eradication program personnel how it would be useful in the field. Further development of the kit, through an agreement with the company Agdia, was discussed and it was concluded that it will provide a quick, accurate and easy-to-use method of screwworm identification for regulatory and health agencies in the U.S. and abroad. Technical Abstract: The following technical abstract refers to the (1st of 6)invited oral presentation given by Dr. Skoda at the APHIS-ARS-Mexico US Commission for the Eradication of Screwworm Meeting, March 2000. Screwworms, obligatory parasites of warm-blooded animals including humans, feed on their host's living tissue and cause severe debilitation or death. Other fly larvae that are not pests often co-inhabit animal wounds. Particularly in their early stages, these flies are very difficult to identify. Screwworms, once considered very important pests in the U.S., have been eradicated from the U.S., Mexico and most of Central America. But the prevalence of screwwoms in South America and the Caribbean provide a constant threat of reentry to the U.S. by means of travel or trade. In fact, reentry has occurred multiple times over the years. If not detected immediately, a costly eradication program must be used to eliminate the screwworm infestation. We have developed monoclonal antibodies to identify screwworms and these antibodies have been used in a prototype identification kit. This prototype was used to demonstrate to eradication program personnel how it would be useful in the field. Further development of the kit, through an agreement with the company Agdia, was discussed and it was concluded that it will provide a quick, accurate and easy-to-use method of screwworm identification for regulatory and health agencies in the U.S. and abroad. |
