Development of single-chain antibodies against avian influenza H5N1 for environmental and diagnostic applications

The likelihood of imminent future pandemics has increased due to climate change, human mobility, and expansion to virgin territories with simultaneous exposure to pathogen reservoirs in wild animals. Thus, fast responses are crucial to preventing future pathogens from spreading and reducing the pandemic risk. The risk of a pandemic related to the avian influenza A virus subtype H5N1 (H5N1) has recently increased because of the incidence of infections in animals in the States, including the disease of four people and the historical pandemics attributed to avian influenza. The virus can spread rapidly through poultry flocks and among wild birds. H5N1 has the potential to decimate domesticated poultry stocks, and an estimated half a billion farmed birds have been slaughtered to contain the virus. Thus, developing surveillance tests to identify the virus at early stages or dissemination is crucial to include a future pandemic. Our proposal aims to develop engineered antibodies against the H5N1 in surveillance environments. The rationale of this project is to develop high-affinity antibodies selected against a unique sequence present in H5N1. Selected antibodies will be used to monitor environments. The efficacy of the antibody will be validated on samples of drinking water, municipal, industrial, rural, and farming sewages. Significance. Results from this project will be used to develop a rapid test that can be used in point-of-care healthcare settings, remote and rural communities, and other places without specialized personnel.