Use of birthing manure to screen for pathogenic infection in farmed animals

US10081843B2 · kind B2 · utility

Inventors

• Mark Stahl · Lexington, US
• John Stahl · Sunbury, US
• Richard Stahl · Rotselaar, BE

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 13, 2010
• Grant date: Sep 25, 2018
• Expiry date: May 21, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12Q1/701
• WIPO field: Biotechnology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Animal husbandry has always been susceptible to the ravages of pathogenic infections. Poultry flus and cattle diseases are but two examples that have dire consequences for animals and adversely affect the economic fortunes of farmers. A testing and culling methodology is presented that can eliminate pathogens from an infected herd. The sensitivity of PCR to detect very low levels of nucleic acid of an infecting pathogen is utilized to identify infected animals. In addition, it has been discovered that PCR analysis of manure samples can accurately identify infected animals and offspring for those species that consume placental remains after birth. Mink Aleutian Disease Virus (mADV) is one of several deadly DNA parvoviruses that can quickly reach epidemic proportions in a mink herd. PCR primers have been developed that generate amplicons to detect and identify the mADV. In addition, a previously unidentified strain of mADV has been discovered, genomically sequenced, and substantially detailed.