# Implementation and Evaluation of Two SARS-CoV-2 Assays for Companion Animal Testing to Expand Vet-LIRN COVID-19 Capacity

> **NIH FDA U18** · UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA · 2022 · $50,938

## Abstract

Project Summary
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a zoonotic disease that, in
addition to its importance in the human pandemic, has caused spillover infection and onward
spread in mink, white-tailed deer, and hamsters. New viral variants with different characteristics
are constantly emerging, with different characteristics and in some cases, these variants are able
to infect species of animals that were not originally susceptible. Therefore, ongoing surveillance
through Vet-LIRN is essential for early recognition of spread within animals. Given that companion
animals reside in 85 million US households, if SARS-CoV-2 were to gain the ability to spread
amongst pets or between pets and humans, there could be immense public health consequence
and consequence to wildlife populations. The objective of this proposal is to evaluate and validate
novel testing methodologies including validating loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP)
in a variety of sample matrices in dogs and cats, and to perform rigorous evaluation of a
commercially available ELISA kit. Our specific aims include: Aim 1: Assess the validity of a
commercial colorimetric LAMP assay for the qualitative detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in 4 novel
matrices collected from both dogs and cats. Aim 2: Validate a commercially available ELISA for
SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in dogs and cats while building capacity to conduct SARS-CoV-2
serological testing. These aims will provide technician training, equipment, and expertise to
provide capacity for SARS-CoV-2 testing in dogs and cats.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10609646
- **Project number:** 1U18FD007725-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
- **Principal Investigator:** Stephen Douglas Cole
- **Activity code:** U18 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** FDA
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $50,938
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-09-01 → 2024-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10609646

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10609646, Implementation and Evaluation of Two SARS-CoV-2 Assays for Companion Animal Testing to Expand Vet-LIRN COVID-19 Capacity (1U18FD007725-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10609646. Licensed CC0.

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