For the early detection of the Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) in persistently infected (PI) animals, Prionics has launched the PrioCHECK BVDV ELISA for ear notch samples. This test is the first ELISA that closes the diagnostic gap in BVDV detection in newborn PI animals. PI cattle remain the main source of BVDV infection and when left undetected can spread to other animals. Used in combination with the TypiFixTM ear notch sampling system, the PrioCHECK BVDV ear notch test enables the complete integration of the whole procedure - from sampling to animal identification and disease detection. The test kit developed by CEDI Diagnostics will be available in early spring 2007.
Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD) can have significant and serious implications to the dairy industry. The presence of the virus can cause spontaneous abortions in cows or result in the spread of the virus through the placenta to newborn calves. Animals infected with BVDV in utero can become persistently infected (PI) and when not identified can spread the infection to other cattle. As PI animals are the main source of BVDV transmission, dedicated control programs are directed at the identification and removal of infected animals.
Early detection of PI animals
Detection of BVDV in newborn calves can be difficult as calves can have very high antibody titers to BVDV via the first mother milk. These antibodies can shield the virus from being detected in a conventional antigen ELISA. The PrioCHECK BVDV for ear notch samples is designed to identify 100% of newborn calves persistently infected with BVDV. In order to prevent PI animals from going undetected, the PrioCHECK BVDV for ear notch samples has an additional test mode to control for the presence of maternal antibodies in animals younger than 30 days. "A field validation study carried out in the Netherlands with the PrioCHECK BVDV ear notch test proved the benefit of the additional test mode. The study showed that 5 out of the 365 (1,4 %) animals tested would have been missed using only a conventional BVDV antigen ELISA without the unique additional antibody test mode. This is explained through the presence of masking maternal antibodies", reported Liesbeth Jacobs of CEDI Diagnostics.
Efficient sample tracking
Besides being reliable, the procedure is also convenient and allows easy identification of the virus in ear notch samples. The PrioCHECK BVDV ear notch test is fully supported by an integrated software package that effectively takes care of sample tracking and reporting of test results. The ELISA test has undergone extensive evaluation studies both internally and externally which have produced excellent results. As the studies near completion, the PrioCHECK BVDV ELISA for ear notch tissue samples will be commercially available early spring, 2007.
TypiFixTM and PrioCHECK BVDV ear notch test: a winning combination
The PrioCHECK BVDV for ear notch samples used in combination with the TypiFixTM sampling and identification system is recommended. A software solution has been developed for use with TypiFixTM ear notch samples which enables the complete integration of the whole procedure: from sample taking and animal identification to disease detection and control.
