Assessment Of Current Technologies And Treatments For Emerge

Assessment of Current Technologies and Treatments for Emerging Infectious Diseases: Are We Prepared

The purpose of this assignment is to critically examine existing biotechnology applications that are used to make advances at the molecular level in biosciences research used for disease prevention or mitigation. Apply your knowledge of cellular and molecular processes and current laboratory techniques and therapies to effectively propose a plausible effort to mitigate the next outbreak. Emerging infectious diseases are a global public health concern. Diseases that were once endemic to other countries such as Zika virus, SARs-CoV-2, and other pathogens have now become resident agents of infection in the U.S. Research and compare the current technologies and treatments that are currently available to detect and treat these agents.

Also consider reported disease outbreaks that are currently trending not necessarily in the U.S. but abroad. Ask are we prepared against these agents of infection and if not what technologies and treatments do we need? Include three pathogens to conduct your assessment for detection capabilities and treatment: two pathogens that have caused epidemics in the U.S. and one that has caused an epidemic currently outside the U.S. Follow the outline for the technology assessment. Use it as a checklist.

Include the following information in your research project:

Abstract - a short summary of the entire assessment; a snapshot.

Research Paper - Introduction: 1. Explain to the reader what you are going to cover in your paper 2. Include an impact statement- Why is this important? Supporting factors: 1. Provide background information on the selected pathogens of interest 2. Include the country of origin, first reported case, first reported death, number of reported cases, number of deaths (All three pathogens should have this information) 1. Include first reported case in the US, first reported death, number of reported cases, number of deaths 2. Provide background information on the technology or research used to detect each pathogen 3. Include vendor (the company that makes the device or application) 4. Identify the stakeholder interested in the technology, i.e., the end-user (who’s interested in acquiring the technology/ application or research?) 5. Provide background information on the treatment or therapeutic 6. Include the vendor (the company that makes the drug or treatment) 7. Identify the stakeholder interested in the treatment or therapeutic, i.e., the end-user 8. Compare and contrast the current technology/ application/treatment/therapeutic/ research. Can they be modified or if there’s nothing available, what is needed? Make suggestions. 9. Make a table to include pathogens of interest and match to applicable technology/research and treatment/therapeutic/research. 10. Conclusion: summary of your paper and provide your perspective.

Research Paper Format Requirements: 1. 5 pages excluding references page 2. Title page 3. Minimum 20 references 4. 12 point Font 5. Single spaced

Paper For Above instruction

Emerging infectious diseases pose significant threats to global public health, necessitating continual advancements in detection and treatment technologies. This paper critically assesses current biotechnology applications related to three notable pathogens: Zika virus, SARS-CoV-2, and Ebola virus. These agents were selected based on their historic and ongoing impact within and outside the United States, providing a comprehensive overview of the current state of molecular diagnostics and therapeutics, and evaluating preparedness levels.

Background and Pathogen Profiles

Zika Virus: Originating in Uganda, the Zika virus was first identified in 1947. Its emergence in Brazil in 2015 marked a significant epidemic, leading to increased global concern over congenital anomalies and neurological syndromes (Musso & Gubler, 2016). The first reported case in the U.S. was in 2016, with subsequent cases linked to travel and local mosquito transmission, totaling over 2,500 cases by 2018 (CDC, 2020). The associated therapeutic efforts have mainly focused on vector control and supportive care, with research into antiviral therapies ongoing (Coyne & Lazear, 2016).

SARS-CoV-2: Emerged in Wuhan, China, in late 2019, causing the COVID-19 pandemic. The first U.S. case was reported in January 2020, leading to over 33 million cases and 600,000 deaths by mid-2021 (Johns Hopkins University, 2021). Detection primarily relies on RT-PCR-based assays developed by various vendors, including Roche and Abbott, facilitating early diagnosis (Corman et al., 2020). Vaccines like mRNA-1273 (Moderna) and BNT162b2 (Pfizer/BioNTech) have revolutionized therapeutics, focusing on immune response induction, with ongoing developments for antiviral drugs (Polack et al., 2020).

Ebola Virus: First identified in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1976, Ebola outbreaks have predominantly occurred in Central Africa. The 2014-2016 West Africa epidemic resulted in over 28,000 cases and 11,000 deaths (WHO, 2016). The first U.S. case was diagnosed in 2014, but local transmission was controlled swiftly. Detection uses reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) kits produced by BioFire and others, while therapeutics like the monoclonal antibody cocktail REGN-EB3 and antiviral drugs such as remdesivir have shown efficacy (Mulangu et al., 2019).

Technologies and Therapeutics

Detection Technologies: For Zika, CDC-developed RT-PCR and ELISA tests are standard, with commercial vendors like Roche providing automated systems (Lanciotti et al., 2016). SARS-CoV-2 detection hinges on PCR-based assays, with Abbott and Roche leading the market with rapid, high-throughput platforms (Corman et al., 2020). Ebola detection relies on RT-PCR kits from BioFire and Cepheid, designed for swift laboratory diagnosis in outbreak scenarios (Marras et al., 2017).

Therapeutic Approaches: Zika currently lacks approved antiviral treatments, emphasizing vector control and supportive care—research into therapeutics like Zika virus-specific vaccines is ongoing (Zhou & Wang, 2019). SARS-CoV-2 therapeutics include mRNA vaccines, vector vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, and antiviral drugs, with companies like Moderna, Pfizer, and Gilead playing pivotal roles (Shah et al., 2021). Ebola therapeutics like REGN-EB3 and remdesivir have shown positive outcomes, with ongoing investigations to improve treatment efficacy (Mulangu et al., 2019).

Comparison and Future Needs

While detection technologies for these pathogens are largely effective, their adaptability to emerging variants or new pathogens remains a concern. The rapid development of PCR assays for SARS-CoV-2 exemplifies technological agility, yet stockpiling and distribution networks require strengthening. For therapeutics, vaccines have been crucial for SARS-CoV-2 and Ebola, but limited options exist for Zika, highlighting a significant gap in preparedness.

Modified or novel technologies could include point-of-care testing with greater sensitivity, portable devices for field diagnostics, and broad-spectrum antivirals targeting conserved viral elements. The integration of genomic surveillance and artificial intelligence can further enhance early detection and response capabilities.

Table Matching Pathogens to Technologies and Treatments

Conclusion

The assessment reveals that while significant technological advancements have improved detection and treatment, gaps remain, especially in rapid, portable diagnostics and broad-spectrum therapeutics. Preparedness against emerging infectious diseases depends on rapid deployment of adaptable technologies, investment in research, and global cooperation. Continuous innovation and integration of new biotechnologies, such as genomic surveillance and AI-driven analytics, are essential to enhance our response capacity. Strengthening infrastructure and ensuring equitable access to diagnostics and therapeutics are critical to mitigating future outbreaks effectively.

References

• Coyne, C. B., & Lazear, H. M. (2016). Zika Virus — A Review. JAMA, 315(16), 1650–1651.
• Corman, V. M., et al. (2020). Detection of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) by real-time RT-PCR. Eurosurveillance, 25(3), 2000045.
• Johns Hopkins University. (2021). COVID-19 Dashboard by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE). Retrieved from https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html
• Lanciotti, R. S., et al. (2016). Genetic and serologic properties of Zika virus associated with an epidemic in San Andres Island, Colombia. Journal of Infectious Diseases, 213(7), 867–870.
• Marras, M. C., et al. (2017). The importance of rapid diagnostic tools for Ebola virus disease: A review. The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 215(4), 576–582.
• Musso, D., & Gubler, D. J. (2016). Zika Virus. Clinical Microbiology Reviews, 29(3), 487–524.
• Mulangu, S., et al. (2019). A randomized, controlled trial of Ebola virus disease therapeutics. The New England Journal of Medicine, 381(24), 2293–2303.
• Polack, F. P., et al. (2020). Safety and Efficacy of the BNT162b2 mRNA Covid-19 Vaccine. New England Journal of Medicine, 383(27), 2603-2615.
• Shah, S. F. A., et al. (2021). Advances in COVID-19 therapeutics: A review. Drug Discovery Today, 26(4), 862–872.
• World Health Organization. (2016). Ebola Virus Disease – West Africa. WHO Report.