Test Development
Kath Webster Test Development Programme Manager
The aim of the Test Development Programme is to identify areas where VLA can improve its test portfolio, validate tests to a high standard and interpret results with confidence.
The Programme continues to flourish and we are principally interested in introducing new tests which will make a difference to the work the Agency undertakes, for example:
- to allow us to detect or type something important that we can’t currently do
- to enhance our reference laboratory status
- to streamline testing by making a procedure more efficient, rapid or affordable through multi-pathogen testing, automated or the use of sampling strategies such as pooling
The outputs from the programme include new tests offered by VLA with high quality validation data, which allows us to interpret results with confidence. This information is provided in the form of publications and presentations to the scientific community.
Routine PCR testing at VLA Penrith
Some examples of new tests developed, validated or introduced into routine use at VLA during 2006/07 are given below.
- Real time PCRs for the detection of infectious bronchitis virus, Salmonella Enteritidis and Salmonella Typhimurium in poultry. Also, improvements to the portfolio of PCR tests for BVD and Border Disease have also been made and we are now able to offer validated tests for single and pooled blood samples, tissues and bulk milk samples.
- Real time PCR methods for avian influenza (M gene, H5 and H7) have been transferred into a high throughput routine laboratory, validated for robotic extraction of nucleic acid and the use of controls introduced to show whether avian material is present on swabs submitted for testing.
- ISO17025 accreditation has been obtained for the ‘screening PCR’ that detects pathogenic Leptospire isolates and two new confirmatory assays, developed and validated to specifically identify Leptospira species using Denaturing High Performance Liquid Chromatography (DHPLC) and Variable Number Tandem Repeat (VNTR).
Micro-array technology to detect E.coli virulence genes and antimicrobial resistance
- Micro-arrays to detect virulence genes in E.coli and antimicrobial resistance markers in E.coli and Salmonella have been developed and partially validated. These are already being used for surveillance work and will be launched by VLA as a commercial product.
- An ELISA for the detection of Clostridium perifringens toxin and an Immuno-Flourescent Antibody Test (IFAT) for canine leishmaniasis have been validated. Also, liquid culture has been added to the current methods of solid culture and we have validated a PCR for the detection of Johne’s Disease (M.paratuberculosis) in cattle faecal samples.
Pen-side testing equipment
- Rapid penside tests for the detection of exotic mycoplasmas have been developed and validated.
