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Ostlund delivered a presentation
7
to launch the SPADA Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis (VEE)
project. She reviewed the history of the virus, its geographic prevalence and the closely related
Western Equine Encephalitis (WEE) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). VEE has been
experimented with as a biological weapon as an incapacitating agent. It is a select agent and there
are a limited number of laboratories that are permitted to work with it. Not many methods have
been published for PCR detection of VEE, WEE or EEE. The goal of the working group is to develop
SMPRs for detection of VEE by PCR methods, with the possibility of developing a single SMPR for a
combination of VEE, WEE and EEE.
After further discussion the group agreed to the following fitness for purpose statement to help
guide the working group in their proceedings:
“Identification of VEEV, and possible EEEV and WEEV. RNA by assays in liquid samples. The
limit of detection must be less than 100 genome copies per reaction. The preferential
method would be a field-deployable assay.”
VII. Q-Fever
Samuels delivered a presentation
8
describing the background, impact, regulatory guidance and
current detection technologies for
Coxiella burnetti
, the causative agent of Q-Fever. The organism is
found in goats and other domestic mammals. Hundreds of cases of Q-Fever were documented
during the Iraq war, and it is prevalent on Dutch goat farms. The typical route for transmission is
aerosolization of contaminated soils. There is a currently a vaccine approved for use in Australia for
people at the highest risk, such as goat farmers. There are two common targets in existing PCR
assays, IS1111 and Com01. 95% of work currently being conducted is with the Nine Mile RSA439
clone.
After a lengthy discussion on potential requirements and geographic challenges, the group agreed
to the following fitness for purpose statement:
“
Detection of C. burnetii by PCR in liquid samples. Field deployable PCR assay would be
desirable.
“
VIII.
Staphyloccocus enterotoxin B
(SEB)
Tallent delivered a presentation
9
on the history, background, and current technologies for
thedetection of SEB. There are 23 homologous distinct staphylococcus enterotoxins identified and
all of them are superantigenic. They are considered biological threat agents because they can be
collected and disseminated quickly, and potentially cause widespread illness. The general analytical
need would be to detect low levels of SEA, SEB and SEC. Tallent led the group in a discussion on the
proposed fitness for purpose for the SEB Working Group and the following statement was agreed
upon:
7
Attachment 5 – Ostlund VEE Presentation
8
Attachment 6 – Samuel Q-Fever Presentation
9
Attachment 7 – Tallent SEB Presentation