Author
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Mayer, Richard |
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Submitted to: United States Animal Health Association Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings Publication Acceptance Date: 10/26/2004 Publication Date: 1/20/2005 Citation: Mayer, R.T. 2005. An update on the arthropod-borne animal diseases research laboratory (abadrl), laramie, wyoming. United States Animal Health Association Proceedings. Interpretive Summary: The ABADRL is the only laboratory within the USDA mandated to perform research on livestock diseases transmitted by insects. The mission of the laboratory is to develop effective disease diagnostic, control and management strategies than can be transferred to the livestock industry, and regulatory agencies. Currently research involves BTV, epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV), vesicular stomatitis virus, and West Nile virus. The laboratory is participating in several cooperative projects including one involving the University of Wyoming, Montana State University, the University of Montana, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Wyoming Public Health Department, and the Bureau of Land Management to assess the effects of coal bed methane wells on insect vector populations and vector borne disease transmission. The ABADRL has also been developing more simplified and sensitive RT-PCR BTV detection methods including a one-step reverse transcription-PCR reaction that employs infrared dye labeled primers (C. Kato and R.T. Mayer). This approach has also been successful for detection of West Nile virus, EHDV, and St. Louis encephalitis. The advantages of this method are speed and sensitivity for BTV detection, and this method is highly adaptable for an immediate response to potential and emerging threats. ABADRL has mounted an effort on vector (C. sonorensis) genomics and has focused on midgut and salivary gland tissues. Over 2000 genes have been identified for a number of different functions including cell communication, cell cycle, cell death, cytoskeleton biogenesis, development, defense, metabolism, peritrophic membrane, protein metabolism, proteolysis, etc. The expression of specific genes in these tissues has verified by quantitative PCR and/or in situ hybridization. This data provides the foundation for ongoing vector biology research. These sequences are available to researchers via the GenBank national database In regard to facilities, the ABADRL has had about $1.7 million dollars of security upgrades and renovation improvements made over the last 18 months. These expenditures have been made to meet BSL-3 certification and select agent regulations. These efforts will result in a smaller facility but will allow the ABADRL to pursue its research mandate over the short term. Long term research goals will require new facilities. Two major reports have been published recently in regard to the threat of biological terrorism to poultry and livestock. Recent reports have recognized the national need for an expanded research effort on insect/arthropod transmitted diseases to prevent and protect the U.S. against naturally or purposely introduced exotic pathogenic agents. Critical infrastructure facilities with adequate biosecurity and capability to work with large animals are needed.' As the only federal laboratory mandated to study insect/arthropod transmitted diseases the ABADRL will likely be more involved with research. The current facilities cannot accommodate such expanded programs because of space limitations and the age of the facilities. The FY 2005 Senate Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill states that 'The Committee has been made aware of the need for a state-of-the-art animal disease laboratory at Laramie, Wyoming. The Committee directs ARS to provide a prospectus on this project.' Such a facility would accommodate an expanded research program with sufficient overcapacity to accommodate state agency, university, and other federal agency cooperators. The estimated cost is $100 million. Direct benefits of a new facility would be expansion of staff and resources, expansion the research program, greater interaction with state, university, and other federal government collaborators, greater ability to respond to emergency situations, fas Technical Abstract: The ABADRL is the only laboratory within the USDA mandated to perform research on livestock diseases transmitted by insects. The mission of the laboratory is to develop effective disease diagnostic, control and management strategies than can be transferred to the livestock industry, and regulatory agencies. Currently research involves BTV, epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV), vesicular stomatitis virus, and West Nile virus. The laboratory is participating in several cooperative projects with industry, universities and state agencies. The ABADRL has also been developing more simplified and sensitive diagnostic tests that are highly adaptable for an immediate response to potential and emerging insect-transmitted disease threats. ABADRL has mounted an effort on vector (C. sonorensis) genomics and has focused on midgut and salivary gland tissues. This data provides the foundation for ongoing vector biology research. In regard to facilities, the ABADRL has had about $1.7 million dollars of security upgrades and renovation improvements. These expenditures have been made to meet BSL-3 certification and select agent regulations. These efforts will result in a smaller facility thatt will allow the ABADRL to pursue its research mandate over the short term. Long term research goals will require new facilities. Two major national reports have recognized the national need for an expanded research effort on insect/arthropod transmitted diseases to prevent and protect the U.S. against naturally or purposely introduced exotic pathogenic agents. Critical infrastructure facilities with adequate biosecurity and capability to work with large animals are needed. As the only federal laboratory mandated to study insect/arthropod transmitted diseases the ABADRL will likely be more involved with research. The current facilities cannot accommodate such expanded programs because of space limitations and the age of the facilities. |
