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VEE as Bioweapon
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FDR authorized development of VEE as a
biological warfare agent with offensive and
defensive objectives
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Incapacitating agent
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Led to development of attenuated TC‐83 vaccine
strain and inactivated C 84 vaccine strain
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Aerosol, solid, liquid forms possible
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R. Nixon cancelled biological weapons program
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Other countries were/are suspected of VEE as BT
VEEV – Existing PCR assays
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Purpose: Detect VEEV RNA in
clinical samples from horses
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Brain is preferred sample
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Horse is an amplifying host
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Target: E2 membrane glycoprotein
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Associated with virus attachment to cells
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Antibody to E2 neutralizes VEEV
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Subtype differentiation by primer
selection and sequencing of amplicon
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Nested PCR method
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Enhances sensitivity
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Cross contamination risks