Publication Abstract

Assessment of commercial test kits for identification of spring viraemia of carp virus

P.F. Dixon and C.B. Longshaw

Two test kits for the identification of spring viraemia of carp virus (SVCV), one an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using a polyclonal antiserum, and the other an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) using a monoclonal antibody, were assessed for specificity using a range of isolates. The test viruses were selected from four recently described Genogroups of piscine rhabdovirues: Genogroup I (SVCV), Genogroup II (grass carp rhabdovirus), Genogroup III (pike fry rhabdovirus) and Genogroup IV; the test viruses included SVCV isolates from all four subgroups of Genogroup I. The ELISA was non-specific for these viruses, and did not distinguish between SVCV and isolates from the other three Genogroups. However, the IFAT was too specific and detected SVCV isolates from only one of the four SVCV subgroups. Reliance on these test kits alone could result in misidentification of this important OIE notifiable disease.

Reference:

P.F. Dixon and C.B. Longshaw (2005) Assessment of commercial test kits for identification of spring viraemia of carp virus. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms, 67: 25-29