Tokaora
Diagnostics
Making an ‘invisible’ problem visible
Company
Tokaora Diagnostics was formed in late 2021 out of a desire to contribute positively to agriculture in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Following on from Frey Livingston’s research into facial eczema biomarkers, the potential for a quick and inexpensive test became apparent.
The passion we have for this project comes from a family background in farming and agricultural science.
I heke mai ngā whanau o tōku māmā rāua tōku pāpā ki tēnei whenua o Aotearoa. I tipu mai au i te taepu o Taranaki. He uri au nō tēnei whenua. Nā tātou ngā uri te mahi manaaki me te whakakoakoa te hauora ō tō tātou rohe, tō tātou whenua katoa. Koenei nā tōku mahi.
My family on both my mother’s and father’s side immigrated to Aotearoa and settled here. And thus I was born as a descendant of this land. As such, it is the responsibility of the children of this land and region to take care and nurture it. This is my goal and my responsibility
Facial Eczema Rapid Diagnosis Test
Tokaora Diagnostics is developing a prototype of a commercial product (similar to a RAT test) which will enable facial eczema to be detected at low-cost and onsite by the farmer. This will allow the disease to be better managed and reduce production losses. Better data regarding individual animals will facilitate more informed purchasing, breeding and culling decisions.
The alleviation of the economic, logistical, and mental toll of facial eczema on the farming community of NZ are key objectives of this project.
Project Update
Following the successful conclusion of our Proof of Concept we would like thank the Vernon Willey Trust for a generous grant toward the next stage of our project to enhance our data set.
The goal of this upcoming research project is threefold:
a. To gather a large number of samples from facial eczema affected animals so that the specificity and sensitivity of this test can be calculated.
b. To carry out a time series study where animals are sampled over the course of facial eczema season, giving information about how early this test can detect facial eczema.
c. To trial this test in sheep with the goal of confirming this test is effective for use, and to note any differences in presentation between sheep, dairy cows, and beef cows
As we look to the future, we are actively seeking new opportunities for funding to build on our success and get the RAT into the hands of the farmers and their vets so they are better able to manage this devastating disease.
Industry Recognition
- Recipienct of the Vernon Willey Trust Fellowhip Grant
- Recipient of AGMARDT Agribusiness Innovation Grant
- Recipient of Callaghan Innovation R&D Project Grant
- Recipient of Callaghan Getting Started Grant
- Recipient of He Kākano Grant from The Prince’s Trust Aotearoa and The Ministry of Youth Development (MYD) – Frey Livingston
- Recipient of MPI Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures Grant
- Winner of Venture Taranaki Power Up Awards 2022
- Selected for and completed Sprout Agritech Accelerator Cohort IX
What is facial eczema?
Facial eczema is a fungal disease that affects ruminants which is a significant challenge to Aotearoa New Zealand agriculture. It exists in other countries but our grass based feeding means we are more susceptible to its effects. The disease is induced by the consumption of Pithomyces chartarum spores which reside at the base of ryegrasses and multiply in warm, wet weather. These spores, once ingested by ruminants, produce the toxin sporidesmin in the gut. The cytotoxic effects of sporidesmin lead to irreversible degradation of the liver tissues and build-up of liver breakdown products, including phytoporphyrin and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT). Phytoporphyrin photosensitises the skin and leads to the characteristic skin lesions that give the disease its name. It is predicted to worsen with climate change and we are now seeing out breaks in areas, specifically the South Island, where none have occurred before.
The cost to the Aoteaoroa New Zealand economy due to production loss is difficult to estimate, but is thought to be around $250m per year.
There is an existing blood test that accurately detects the disease through the measurement of GGT, which increases in concentration in the blood in proportion to disease severity. Logistical restrictions and high costs prevent the use of this test across whole herds, as it requires specialised laboratory testing of blood samples. Facial eczema management has remained largely unchanged in the last 40 years, with the last significant breakthrough being the widespread adoption of slow-release zinc boluses in the 1980s.
Without accurate and holistic herd health data, farmers have limited ability to make decisions regarding disease management. Facial eczema is largely ‘invisible’ except for the worst 5% of those affected. If an animal is showing clinical signs then its chances for survival are slim. The most accepted damage reduction measure is pre-emptive dosing with various forms of zinc which doses all animals equally, regardless of whether they have the disease. Zinc has a prophylactic effect and is introduced in concordance with grazing management to limit the injury to the animals. It is a toxic mineral that can cause poisoning that in itself leads to production losses especially in higher doses. Challenges in the management of facial eczema are expected to intensify in coming years due to the effect of predicted climate change on the range and density of Pithomyces chartarum.
The individuals of the herd have differing susceptibility to facial eczema. On farm surveillance testing will allow timely management and treatment. The test will be a ‘must have’ in a veterinarian’s diagnostic kit, a prepurchase test will bring peace of mind when bringing new stock into the herd and end of season testing will assist in breeding and culling decisions.
