The production of a Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus diagnostic antigen in plants
Master Thesis
2016
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University of Cape Town
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Abstract
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is a highly infectious, life threatening disease, caused by the Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus (CCHFV), a nairovirus that forms part of the Bunyaviridae family. CCHFV has a case fatality rate of approximately 40%. Current diagnostic methods for CCHFV involve the use of live virus antigen, requiring biosafety level 4 (BSL4) conditions for safe handling. The development of a safer diagnostic reagent for detection of this disease is therefore desirable. This project involves the development of a recombinant CCHFV nucleocapsid protein (NP). The nucleocapsid (NP) protein was expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana and purified using a 6x histidine-tag. The protein was then reacted against serum samples collected from confirmed CCHFV patients to determine its ability to detect IgG antibodies against CCHFV in human sera.
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Reference:
Atkinson, R. 2016. The production of a Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus diagnostic antigen in plants. University of Cape Town.