Award details

Application of newer technologies for the diagnosis of FMD and other vesicular diseases

Reference	BBS/E/I/00001056
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Dr Nigel Ferris
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	The Pirbright Institute
Department	The Pirbright Institute Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	6,997
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/07/2003
End date	30/06/2006
Duration	36 months

Abstract

Diagnostic tests need to be highly sensitive, specific and swift. The current validated laboratory procedures for foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and related vesicular virus diagnosis are antigen detection ELISA¿s combined with virus isolation in sensitive cell cultures. Real time, fluorogenic reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays are likely to provide a marked increase in test sensitivity and faster definitive diagnostic results. However, the procedures require further development and validation and are the subject of a separate project proposal. The current ELISA for the antigen detection of FMD virus is moderately sensitive and acceptably rapid. The assay employs polyclonal antisera. The incorporation of monoclonal instead of polyclonal reagents will be addressed to overcome limitations of finite supply of individual polyclonal antiserum batches. This will improve specificity and standardisation and may improve sensitivity and speed. Recombinant FMDV receptor proteins and mabs to additional vesicular viruses will also be evaluated as possible virus trapping ligands for use in antigen detection assays. FMD mabs have already been incorporated into prototype chromatographic strip tests for pen-side antigen detection. These tests will be evaluated by means of field trials in countries with endemic FMD. Prototype pen-side tests for additional vesicular viruses will be developed. Other innovative diagnostic approaches will be explored, such as piezo-electric immunobiosensors and micro-arrays. The former has potential for pen-side application, and the latter for differential diagnosis. Pan-reactive mabs able to detect all serotypes of FMDV will also be evaluated for possible use in serotype- independent competitive ELISA for the detection of antibodies. If promising such reagents could also be applied to pen-side tests.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Animal Sciences (AS)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

I accept the terms and conditions of use (opens in new window)

export PDF file

back to list new search