The PrioCHECK® BVDV Ag PIfocus is being used successfully in the Swiss Bovine Viral Diarrhea eradication program. In the first testing phase, approximately 100,000 cattle samples from 3 different Swiss cantons have been tested using the Prionics BVDV test. Prionics has recently improved the effectiveness of the PrioCHECK® BVDV Ag PIfocus to 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity by optimizing the virus extraction process.
The Prionics diagnostic laboratory in Zurich is participating in the Swiss Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD) eradication program. This national program involves the large-scale testing of cattle samples for the presence of the BVD Virus. In this year alone, over 200,000 samples will be tested using the PrioCHECK® BVDV Ag PIfocus, giving Prionics extensive hands-on experience of which our customers can profit. First experiences with the PrioCHECK® BVDV Ag PIfocus have shown that the test performs well for the routine detection of the BVD Virus (BVDV).
The first testing phase of the Swiss eradication program has been deemed a complete success. In this test phase, samples of over 600,000 animals were tested before start of the summer 2008, whereas only 300,000 tests of only young animals were planned. This suggests that livestock owners want the eradication of BVDV. Under this program, all Swiss cattle must be tested for BVDV by the end of 2008.
Improved sensitivity
Recently, Prionics has improved the PrioCHECK® BVDV Ag PIfocus test by optimizing the extraction of the BVD Virus from tissue, with a new extraction buffer. The Prionics BVDV test detects the p80 antigen of the BVD virus in ear tissue samples. The release of the p80 viral protein from the tissue is therefore a key step in the procedure as the signal is proportional to the sample antigen concentration. In an internal study, the PrioCHECK® BVDV Ag PIfocus correctly identified all 179 positive samples – resulting in a sensitivity of 100% – and all 2,900 negative samples, giving a specificity of 100%. The results of the study also show that the viral antigen is stabile in the extraction buffer for over 7 days at room temperature.
The improved PrioCHECK® BVDV Ag PIfocus kit is available under the same product number as the original kit.
