Improving the Rate of Diagnosis of Bovine INfectious Diseases
Project Title
Unified PCR-Sequencing Panel for Bovine Infectious Disease to Increase Diagnostic Thoroughness and Laboratory Operational Efficiency
Researchers
Yanyun Huang [email protected]
Yanyun Huang, Dhinesh Periyasamy (Prairie Diagnostic Services Inc.) Janet Hill (Western College of Veterinary Medicine)
| Status | Project Code |
|---|---|
| In progress. Results expected in May, 2026 | POC.16.24 |
Background
Infectious diseases are a significant cost to cattle health in Canada. There are dozens of pathogens that can cause disease in cattle, and clinical signs can overlap between pathogens. Choosing the right diagnostic test can be challenging for veterinarians and producers, and lead to missed or delayed diagnoses, and the potential for greater financial losses. Diagnostic laboratories wanting to offer a large number of relatively low volume tests face streamlining and automation challenges. Genomic sequencing technology can enable ultra-multiplex PCR panels and provide simultaneous testing for numerous pathogens.
This proof-of-concept study aims will test the feasibility of a sequencing panel combining all 19 PCR tests for bovine pathogens that are currently offered by Prairie Diagnostic Services. If successful, it will eliminate the need for veterinarians and producers to choose specific PCR tests, while keeping cost competitive. Combining tests in this way will also help streamline workflows and enhance automation.
Objectives
- To pioneer unified PCR-sequencing panel for bovine infectious diseases. This panel leverages the simplicity of PCR tests, and the capacity of sequencing technology to analyze virtually unlimited numbers of PCR assays at one time.
What they will do
The researchers will combine primers from 19 different PCR tests into a single reaction and test it using known positive samples. They will then use sequencing to confirm that each pathogen can be accurately detected. Next, they will determine the smallest amount of each pathogen’s DNA that the new test can detect, compared to current individual PCR test requirements. They will also test the reusability of the sequencing device by running it multiple times with different samples. Finally, they will mix different positive samples to confirm that the new test can detect multiple infections at once.
Implications
If successful, the unified PCR-sequencing method will encourage comprehensive laboratory testing in disease investigations, increasing efficiency and reducing the risk of missing a diagnosis.