Serological Screening diagnostics and Line-Blot differentiation of Rickettsia Infections

Purpose and goal

The objectives of the project have been met in testing a recombinant ELISA for Rickettsia diagnostics, where serum from several geographical areas was used to assess the diagnostic utility of the test prior to launch. Furthermore, the project has developed a LineBlot technology as a complementary methodology for assessing the specificity of ELISA reactivity and as an opportunity to distinguish rickettsia species, which can provide a safer treatment of this patient category. Furthermore, the needs and opportunities of both the national and European markets have been evaluated

Expected results and effects

An ELISA prototype has been designed and established after tests of sera from different regions. The serological reactivity, shows high sensitivity and reproducibility and provides a useful diagnostic tool in the assessment of tick-borne infections. The LineBlot technology provides the opportunity to determine the specificity of,for example, a single IgM response and also shows differences in reactivity between proteins and species, so differentiation between species seems possible. The market´s equality and needs provide motives for both a national and international launch

Planned approach and implementation

The laboratory work has had good conditions regarding personnel and laboratory facilities and has been done in collaboration with a research group within the framework of Clinical Microbiology, Academic Hospital. Uppsala. Support for standardization has worked well in collaboration with parties from Svanova / Boeringer Ingelheim and Maiia Diagnostica and a partnership agreement with another company is under development for production and distribution. The size and potential of the market has in collaboration been highlighted. The schedule has been kept