OIE Reference Laboratory for Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus (BVDV).

Transcription

1 OIE Reference Laboratory for Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus (BVDV). P.D. Kirkland, Virology Laboratory, Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute (EMAI)

2 OIE Reference Laboratory for Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus (BVDV) Why is there limited international engagement? Many factors: Low priority compared to some high profile diseases Limited knowledge of virus and disease impacts Variable diagnostic & technical capabilities Reluctance to establish national status Limited access to reagents (cost, patents) National restrictions on referral of material to reference laboratory Emerging issues: Loss of capabilities, reagents Lack of funding for training, pathogen characterisation

3 Who and where are we?

4 Professional: OIE Reference Laboratory for Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus (BVDV) 7 veterinarians (plus electron microscopist); Technical: 28 Technical and support staff; Funding: State Government: some staff salaries & infrastructure Fee for service funds diagnostic and health certification testing; Research grants Livestock industries, commercial companies.

5 Extensive facilities & equipment

6 Laboratory Functions Disease Diagnosis Commercial Services health certification testing (export, imports), testing of biological materials, Research Reagent production OIE Reference Laboratory BVDV: >50 years experience with pestivirus diagnosis & research

7 BVDV the virus and disease Hosts: Primarily cattle Interspecies transmission common: - All ruminant species, pigs Disease: Pathogen of reproduction: wide range of effects - ovulation to late gestation (ovulation failure, embryonic loss, abortion, congenital defects, stillbirth, perinatal deaths, persistent infections, weaner mortality Respiratory, enteric disease; immunosuppression

8 International significance In FMD free countries: considered to be the most important viral pathogen of cattle Eradication or control programs in European and Scandinavian countries cattle Emergence of new strains and species, constant evolution Rapid transmission through livestock populations Capacity for hidden spread may not be apparent for 12 months after introduction Contamination of semen, biologicals

9 International significance how important is BVDV? Emergence of new strains and species, constant evolution Rapid transmission through livestock populations Are outbreaks correctly diagnosed?

10 Scientific knowledge & diagnostic challenges Extremely variable understanding of disease (field and laboratory) past obsession with mucosal disease Knowledge of biology impacts on diagnostic approaches in field and lab Diagnosis & application of appropriate tests can be complex detection of virus/antigen or detection of antibodies Traditional diagnostic methods compromised by ubiquitous nature of virus contamination of cell cultures, medium supplements Good rapid diagnostic methods (commercial Ag ELISA) but expensive and not suitable for all applications Screening of biological materials difficult (semen, fbs) due to low levels of virus, difficult specimen type and presence of antibodies

11 Capacity building issues and impediments Lack of appreciation of national/global significance; Variable knowledge of national status & low priority for investigation; Limited laboratory capabilities; Reluctance to refer specimens for confirmation, virus characterisation; Cost to participate in proficiency testing; Lack of funding for training.

12 Future Challenges Increasing pressure for disease control (improved diagnosis) as countries achieve freedom; Loss of expertise in advanced countries as well; Overall loss of expertise with traditional methods; Continuing evolution of virus strains, emergence of new species; Need for biobank of strains and reagents (esp monoclonal antibodies) A long term source of funds for capacity building, establishment & maintenance of biobank and reference activities

13 Thank you for your attention