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Rapid Test Kit For TOXOCARIASIS WHAT’S THE FUSS?

Toxocariasis is an infection of human, which is caused by roundworm, Toxocara canis or Toxocara cati. This infection occurs when Toxocara embryonated eggs containing fully developed infective larvae are ingested through contaminated sources such as soil, fresh or unwashed vegetables, or improperly cooked paratenic hosts. The larvae in the human intestine will penetrate the bowel wall and migrate through blood vessels to reach liver, muscles and lungs, even into eye and brain to cause blindness and provoke rheumatic, neurologic, or asthmatic symptoms There are limited technologies relating to the detection or diagnosis of toxocariasis. The common methods used are IgG ELISA kit and Western blot kit. Some disadvantages (IgG ELISA kit) include:

• Specificity problem– cross reactions with other common worm diseases (due to use of native antigen and IgG detection)

• Laborious & time consuming • Require skilled laboratory personnel • Need positive control serum for every kit • Expensive (~RM 100 per sample) • Need expensive equipment to interpret result • Limited stability if not stored in dry & cold condition. • Need reliable cold transportation & reliable cold storage

to ensure stability

The inventor has developed a recombinant protein or antigen of low molecular weight, which is shown to be more specific and effective than high molecular proteins for the detection of toxocariasis. This antigen is capable of specifically detecting toxocariasis to overcome the drawbacks of the current technologies.

• Use recombinant antigens and can be produced in a standardized and reproducible manner.

• Point-of care test (POC) • Rapid results (about15 – 20 minutes) • High sensitivity and specificity • Versatile, small and compact, easy to use • Easy to interpret results by visual and no specialized

equipment is needed • Cost effective (about RM20 per test) • Can be packaged into varying quantities to suit the

market demands for different settings • Stable for 18 months • Do not need cold condition for transportation, which is

important for rural areas • Sample can be serum, plasma or whole blood

This invention, Recombinant antigen for detection of toxocariasis has patent granted in United Kingdom (GB2479279) and Germany, (112009004267.8). The patent is pending in Malaysia (PI 20085032); USA (US 13/133870); Japan (2011-540619) and Brazil (PI0922812-8)

www.platcomventures.com

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

WHAT’S NEXT?

The inventor is interested to engage potential licensor to establish business partnership or commercialisation activities/arrangement to bring this invention to the market.

Dr. Ng Sing Kwei Commercialisation Specialist

Sk.ng@platcomventures.com 03- 8319 3119

CONTACT

SNAPSHOT

This invention presents a rapid test kit for the detection of toxocariasis, an illness of humans caused by larvae (immature worms) of either dog, cat or even fox roundworm. Infection is a major cause of blindness and may provoke rheumatic, neurologic, or asthmatic symptoms

COMPETETIVE ADVANTAGE Globally, toxocariasis is found in many countries, and prevalence rates can reach as high as 40% or more in parts of the world. It has been found that almost 14% of the U.S. population has been infected with Toxocara. There are several factors that have been associated with higher rates of infection with Toxocara. People are more likely to be infected with Toxocara if they own a dog. Children and adolescents under the age of 20 are more likely to test positive for Toxocara infection. This may be because children are more likely to eat dirt and play in outdoor environments, such as sandboxes, where dog and cat feces can be found. This infection is more common in people living in poverty. Geographic location plays a role as well, because Toxocara is more prevalent in hot, humid regions where eggs are kept viable in the soil. As this infection is prevalent globally and limited rapid test kits are available, this invention definitely has a good market potential.

MARKET POTENTIAL

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TOXOCARIASIS

!  A zoonotic disease caused mainly by the ascarid of dogs (T. canis ); and also by ascarids of cats (T. cati)

!  H u m a n s c a n b e i n f e c t e d b y a c c i d e n t a l l y

ingesting Toxocara eggs "  Work with soil "  Children/toddler – play habits; likely to come into

contact with contaminated soil "  Owner of dogs or cats

TOXOCARIASIS

!  A zoonotic disease caused mainly by the ascarid of dogs (T. canis ); and also by ascarids of cats (T. cati)

!  H u m a n s c a n b e i n f e c t e d b y a c c i d e n t a l l y

ingesting Toxocara eggs "  Work with soil "  Children/toddler – play habits; likely to come into

contact with contaminated soil "  Owner of dogs or cats

TOXOCARIASIS

!  A zoonotic disease caused mainly by the ascarid of dogs (T. canis ); and also by ascarids of cats (T. cati)

!  H u m a n s c a n b e i n f e c t e d b y a c c i d e n t a l l y

ingesting Toxocara eggs "  Work with soil "  Children/toddler – play habits; likely to come into

contact with contaminated soil "  Owner of dogs or cats

Project Code: P064

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