Launch of bluetongue virus typing kit, based on IAH research, by LSI

17 August 2009

 

LSI - Laboratoire Service International - has been collaborating with the Institute for Animal Health (IAH) on the development and commercialization of novel real-time RT-PCR-based molecular assays for the identification and typing of bluetongue viruses. The Taqvet BTV RT-PCR kit was developed from research conducted by the Arbovirology Molecular Research Group at the Pirbright Laboratory of the IAH, which is an institute of the UK’s Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.

The "TaqVet BTV European Typing Kit" allows detection of BTV 1,2,6,8, 9, 11 and 16, fulfilling a growing demand for fast and reliable laboratory tests to identify and differentiate BTV types, helping to monitor and contain existing and future outbreaks. The kit is now available.

 

"This is the first time that a single molecular assay kit has been available that will positively identify and distinguish seven of the European BTV types. The real-time technology used can be used on blood samples making it much faster and more reliable than conventional serological typing methods, generating results in a matter of hours rather than weeks. Personally I regard this form of molecular assay as the current ‘standard’ for initial typing of the bluetongue virus in either blood or tissue culture samples." said Prof. Peter Mertens Head of the Arbovirus Research Group at IAH.

 

Bluetongue is an insect-borne viral disease, caused by bluetongue virus (BTV), which can infect most ruminants, and even some species of large carnivore (after eating infected meat). However bluetongue disease mainly affects cattle, some species of deer, and particularly sheep, which exhibit the highest morbidity and mortality rates, in some cases reaching over 70 percent. Since 1998, the disease has been rapidly spreading in Europe, with outbreaks in most European countries. There are now 25 known serotypes of the bluetongue virus, and each currently requires separate vaccination to achieve protection. The emergence of multiple strains of the virus in Europe belonging to nine different BTV types means that it is now very important to be able to identify as rapidly as possible which type is causing a disease outbreak.

 

For information about the product, contact Dr Eric Sellal, +33 (0)4 72 54 82 82, eric@lsivet.com or Mrs Lise Grewis, +33 (0)4 72 54 82 86, lise@lsivet.com

 

For information on bluetongue research within the IAH, contact Dr Dave Cavanagh, mobile 07789 941568 (message can be recorded), office 01635 577241 (message can be recorded); dave.cavanagh@bbsrc.ac.uk.