To mark the recent launch of the PrioCHECK® Trichinella Ab, we interviewed Dr. Ray Gamble of the US National Research Council, who is a leading authority on Trichinella. He predicts that certifying pigs from farms that follow good production practices to prevent exposure to Trichinella, will gradually replace the current practice of individual carcass testing in many parts of the world. New legislation in EU and the U.S. which allow for the certification of farms and regions as Trichinella free include a requirement for routine surveillance and verification testing. The PrioCHECK® Trichinella Ab, a serology test, will be an extremely useful tool for use in surveillance programs.
In the most recent issue of Prionics magazine, PrionScience, we interviewed Dr. Ray Gamble of the US National Research Council and a member of the Executive Commission of the International Commission on Trichinellosis, about this serious disease and the efforts underway for its control. Dr. Gamble reported that as a result of EU requirements for mandatory testing of pigs. There is now a very low incidence of Trichinella infection in the EU. Denmark is held as an excellent example where there have been no reports of infection in over 70 years. He points out however that there continue to be several countries, particularly in Eastern Europe, where there are still serious problems controlling infections in both pigs and humans.
Risk-based surveillance programs will be the future for Trichinella control
Recent EU legislation (SANCO 2075/2005) now allows for exemption from required testing of pigs originating from production sites that meet certain criteria for good hygiene as well as from regions that have demonstrated negligible risk for exposure of domestic pigs to Trichinella. Dr. Gamble says that certification programs are likely to be the future for pigs raised under these conditions; however, it will be important to continue monitoring pigs raised outdoors or under any conditions where exposure to rodents or wildlife might occur. He also says that it is still too early to predict how the new legislation will be used for certifying regions as free from Trichinella. A major advantage of certifying pigs free from Trichinella infection is reduced testing costs; a saving which has been estimated at more than EUR 300 million in the EU alone.
Prionics serology test reliable, convenient and efficient tool for use in surveillance programs
The ELISA test has been used to detect Trichinella infection in animals and humans for many years, but it is not suitable for individual carcass testing. In light of the new legislation, Dr. Gamble says that serological testing could be an extremely useful tool for routine surveillance of wildlife and populations of pigs from certified-free holdings. Prionics has recently launched the PrioCHECK® Trichinella Ab, a highly specific and sensitive serological test, which should prove to be a reliable, efficient and convenient product for use in surveillance programs. The test detects parasite-specific antibodies in serum and meat juice and is faster, more sensitive and less laborious than currently used methods. Further information on serology testing in surveillance programs can be found on the website of the International Commission on Trichinellosis.
