About

POC4AIV is a cross-sectoral research project with the aim to prevent zoonotic AIV by early diagnosis at the animal-human-environment interface. A fluorescence-based point of care instrument (fPOC) will be developed for the rapid detection of AIV in poultry, wild birds and their environment.

The core technology patented by the coordinator (DTU) was developed as a proof of concept for the detection of SARS-CoV-2, in H2020 CORONADX. The fPOC for AIV detection is an advanced version of VETPOD, a diagnostic tool validated within the H2020 VIVALDI.

To detect the target, fPOC will be equipped with a fluorescence-based optical system that guarantees higher sensitivity and results in 15-30 min. In addition, a new sample preparation method based on magnetic beads will be developed to enhance overall performance.

The fPOC will be validated according to the WOAH standards for AIV detection. An implementation study for fPOC deployment will be carried out to provide additional data on its performance in the field. In details, its suitability for surveillance, AIV confirmation and tracing will be evaluated with respect to diverse levels of disease prevalence.

The use of fPOC will also be evaluated as part of well-established diagnostic workflows, as an upstream screening method for subsequent identification of potentially zoonotic viruses by RT-PCR and NGS.

Finally, the possibility to use fPOC to detect AIV in different species/sample types will be explored using saliva specimens from experimentally challenged animals and artificially spiked samples. This will pave the way for wider use of fPOC in AIV susceptible mammals (e.g. swine, mink, and human).

The industrial partners will apply for WOAH official approval to use fPOC for AIV screening in wild birds and poultry and will develop roadmaps for industrial production and commercialization of fPOC in the EU and Turkey.