Appendix 65

Appendix 65

Evaluation and use of foot-and-mouth disease virus non-structural protein ELISA tests in Pigs in Hong Kong KC Dyrting1*, CH Chow1, TM Ellis1 1 Tai Lung Veterinary Laboratory, Agriculture Fisheries and Conservation Department, Lin Tong Mei, Sheung Shui, Hong Kong SAR

Introduction

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is endemic in Hong Kong. Being one of the participants of the IAEA/FAO research coordination meetings, we have been evaluating several foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) non-structural protein (NSP) ELISA tests using pig samples collected in Hong Kong. This paper provides our evaluation results and discusses the potential application of these tests in understanding the disease in Hong Kong.

Materials and Methods

The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of 4 commercially available and research FMDV NSP ELISA test kits were calculated using about 400 pig serum samples collected in Hong Kong. Additionally, about 2000 clinically normal pig serum samples were also tested.

Results and Discussion

There was no significant difference in diagnostic specificity between the 4 test kits in pigs, but there were significant differences in diagnostic sensitivity between these kits which appeared to be dependent on the duration after FMDV post-exposure. There was some evidence of sub-clinical infection in vaccinated pigs. The application of different test kits should be guided by the “Fit for purpose” principle. Additional field samples are planned to be collected and tested for refining the diagnostic sensitivity of these tests in pigs in Hong Kong and appropriate samples will be stored for contributing to the NSP standard serum

bank to be established by the IAEA/FAO.