Prionics - Reliable detection of all FMD virus serotypes
Published:December 15, 2006
Source :Prionics
Prionics now offers two ELISA tests for the diagnosis of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in cattle, swine, sheep and goats. The tests were developed by Prionics affiliate CEDI Diagnostics, in collaboration with the renowned Animal Science Group of Wageningen UR. The Ceditest® FMDV tests are excellent and unique tools for the control of all serotypes of this highly contagious virus.
Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is the most serious economic threat to the livestock industry. This highly contagious disease affects all cloven hoofed animals and has a world-wide prevalence. The FMD viruses are classified into seven distinct serotypes which makes diagnosis using conventional serological methods complex. The seven serotypes are O, A, C, SAT 1, SAT 2 and Asia 1. Most outbreaks are caused by serotypes O, A and Asia 1. In many countries the disease is controlled by preventive vaccination. However, in those countries that are free of the disease, vaccination is banned, since vaccinated animals that are not completely protected can be a source of infection. The virus may replicate and be shed, but the animals may not show any clinical sign of infection.
Prionics' Ceditest® FMDV type O is suited for large-scale screening of non-vaccinated herds after an outbreak of FMD virus serotype O has occurred. In vaccinated animals, however, the test is also very useful for checking the efficiency of vaccination and to detect illegally vaccinated animals. The Ceditest® FMDV type O is an ELISA test for the detection of antibodies against FMD virus serotype O and is the only commercially available serotype specific ELISA. The Ceditest® FMDV type O can be easily automated on ELISA robot platforms. It is an established test that has been successfully used to control FMD outbreaks in the Netherlands.
The Ceditest® FMDV-NS can be used in mass screening for the detection of all FMDV serotypes. The test is also a valuable tool for the detection of infected animals in a vaccinated population. The Ceditest® FMDV-NS is an ELISA test that detects antibodies against the highly conserved non-structural (NS) protein of the FMD virus. It is the only FMDV NS ELISA test on the market that can be used for all species. The EU-funded FMDV research group has validated the Ceditest® FMDV-NS as the best commercial kit available because of its high specificity and sensitivity. Its performance is comparable to or even better than that of the OIE index ELISA test; the NCPanaftosa test.
