Global Foot-and-Mouth Disease Research Update and Gap Analysis: 4 - Diagnostics

Abstract

SummaryThis study assessed knowledge gaps in foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) research in the field of diagnostics. The study took the form of a literature review combined with research updates collected in 2014 from 33 institutes from around the world. Findings were used to identify priority areas for future FMD research.Molecular and genetic technologies, including sequencing, are developing at an increasing rate both in terms of capability and affordability. These advances potentiate progress in many other fields of research, from vaccine development to epidemiology. The development of RT-LAMP represents an important breakthrough allowing greater use and access to molecular diagnostics. It is now possible to determine virus serotype using PCR, although only for certain virus pools, continued progress is needed to cover the global spectrum of FMD viruses. Progress has also been made in the development of pen-side rapid diagnostics, some with the ability to determine serotype. However, further advances in pen-side serotype or strain determination would benefit both FMD-free countries and endemic countries with limited access to wellresourced laboratories.Novel sampling methods that show promise include air sampling and baited ropes, the latter may aid sampling in wildlife and swine. Studies of infrared thermography for the early detection of FMD have not been encouraging, although investigations are ongoing. Multiplex tests have been developed that are able to simultaneously screen for multiple pathogens with similar clinical signs. Crucial for assessing FMDV freedom, tests exist to detect animals that have been infected with FMDV regardless of vaccination status; however, limitations exist, particularly when testing previously vaccinated animals. Novel vaccines are being developed with complementary DIVA tests for this purpose. Research is also needed to improve the current imprecise approaches to FMD vaccine matching.The development of simple, affordable tests increases access to FMD diagnostics, greatly benefiting regions with limited laboratory capacity.

Rapid and simple detection of foot-and-mouth disease virus: Evaluation of a cartridge-based molecular detection system for use in basic laboratories

“…Rapid and reliable diagnostic systems can play an integral role in the detection, monitoring, control and subsequent eradication of animal diseases and pathologies such as FMD. Especially in non‐specialized, front‐line laboratories with only basic equipment, for example in rural Africa, a demand exists towards test systems that are simple to perform, robust, inexpensive, and that yield unambiguous results for easy reporting (Knight‐Jones et al., ). In the recent past, several capacity building projects have sought to provide basic laboratories all over the world with reliable diagnostic systems for notifiable animal diseases.…”

Chemiluminescence Immunoassay for the Detection of Antibodies against the 2C and 3ABC Nonstructural Proteins Induced by Infecting Pigs with Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus

“…However, this method also has a high false-positive rate, which is a serious limitation. Infrared thermography and analyses of air samples have also been used to detect early and subclinical infections, but these methods are not highly accurate (22,23). Therefore, a rapid and sensitive method for the diagnosis of FMDV infection is needed.…”

A review on foot and mouth disease in dairy animals, etiology, pathogenesis and clinical findings

“…The direct impacts include reduced livestock growth, reduced milk production, problems with fertility, mortality in young stock and indirect impact includes additional cost like vaccination costs and movement control [65,33]. Some governments have been considered the potential role of FMD in bioterrorism due to the relative case with which from outbreaks in endemic countries, highly contagious material can be obtained and severe economic losses in FMD free countries [66,67]. In most parts of Africa, FMD is enzootic and some other countries have managed tools to control the disease [68,69,70].…”