The Problem:
Leptospirosis is bacterial zoonotic disease that affects both humans and animals. Canine leptospirosis can be a serious and life-threatening disease. Additionally, the infection rate for leptospirosis in dogs has been on the rise. Vaccines currently in use may only provide protection for up to 12 months. Diagnostic tests, such as MAT and DNA-PCR, are not efficient and may provide false negatives.
The Solution:
Utilizing a high throughput microarray, researchers at the University of Tennessee have identified multiple epitopes that are useful for vaccine and diagnostics development against Leptospirosis in dogs. This technology could lead to a cross protective vaccine that would potentially provide longer lasting immunity as compared to current vaccines on the market.
Benefits:
Potential to protect against multiple strains of Leptospirosis.
Epitopes could be used in creation of either a vaccine or diagnostic test.
Vaccine could provide longer immunity duration as compared to current options that are in use
Dr. Sreekumari Rajeev
Professor of Infectious Diseases and Director of Bacteriology and Mycology Laboratory
Dr. Sreekumari ('Sree') Rajeev BVSc & AH, PhD, DACVM, DACVP is a veterinarian who obtained her PhD in the UTCVM Comparative and Experimental Medicine program and was board certified by the American College of Veterinary Microbiologists in the areas of Bacteriology and Mycology, Virology, and Immunology as well as the American College of Veterinary Pathologists (Anatomic Pathology). Dr. Rajeev's research focuses on advancing the field of infectious diseases, specifically leptospirosis. She utilizes both traditional and advanced molecular techniques to advance our knowledge on Leptospira infection