OIE Reference Laboratory Reports
Activities in 2010
Name of disease (or topic) for
which you are a designated OIE
Reference Laboratory:
Address of laboratory:
Equine viral arteritis
Veterinary Laboratories Agency (Weybridge)
Woodham Lane
New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB
United Kingdom
Tel.:
(+44-1932) 357.637
Fax:
(+44-1932) 357.239
e-mail address:
t.w.drew@vla.defra.gsi.gov.uk
website:
Name of Head of Laboratory
(Responsible Official):
Name of OIE Reference Expert:
Name of writer of this report
(if different from above):
http://www.vla.gov.uk
Prof. Peter Borriello (CEO)
Prof. Trevor Drew, Head of Virology
Prof. Trevor Drew and Mr David Westcott
Annual reports of OIE Reference Laboratories and Collaborating Centres, 2010
1
Equine viral arteritis
Part I: Summary of general activities related to the disease
The VLA is a government laboratory, under the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. It is the National
Reference Laboratory for EVA in Great Britain and carries out surveillance and research on this disease. In the area of
surveillance, the institute is responsible for all statutory testing, involving demonstrating ongoing freedom from the
disease, testing in the context of international trade and any examination of any suspect cases and provision of
emergency response in the event of outbreaks. We also provide training to visiting scientists and expert consultancy to
the British government.
1.
Test(s) in use/or available for the specified disease/topic at your laboratory
Test
For
Import
Export
Diagnosis
Private
Overseas
Total
SNT(TC1247)*
Antibody
15
1352
553
419
269
2608
Virus isolation
(TC0550) *
Virus
9
25
31
0
0
65
RT-PCR
Viral RNA
9
25
31
0
0
65
*These tests are accredited to ISO17025 under the VLA's United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) Testing
Laboratory 1769 certificate.
Virus isolation is carried out using Rabbit Kidney (RK-13) cell culture, two passages, followed by indirect
peroxidase staining for EAV antigen. All the semen samples submitted for investigation were tested by both cell
culture and RT-PCR for EAV. Two semen samples from imported stallions were found to be positive for both the
virus isolation and RT-PCR tests.
2.
Production and distribution of diagnostic reagents
VLA maintains stocks of diagnostic reagents for EVA which are used for its own tests and are provided externally.
For details of supply, contact enquiries@vla.defra.gsi.gov.uk. Standard EVA reference antiserum used in the VLA
VN-test and cell cultures were supplied for use in national and international EQA exercises, run by VLA.
Part II: Activities specifically related to the mandate
of OIE Reference Laboratories
3.
International harmonisation and standardisation of methods for diagnostic testing or the
production and testing of vaccines
Every six months the VLA together with other labs in Ireland, Europe and the USA participate in ring trials for
EVA VN-testing. The VLA obtained satisfactory results.
4.
Preparation and supply of international reference standards for diagnostic tests or vaccines
None for 2010
5.
Research and development of new procedures for diagnosis and control
The VLA has continued its working relationship with the OIE reference Laboratory at the Canadian Food
Inspection Agency, the Gluck research centre Lexington Kentucky and the CRL in France in both EVA
serological and RT-PCR procedures to fine tune these diagnostic techniques using known positive and negative
samples, also to aid the sequencing and phylogenetics of new virus isolates. The VLA is currently developing
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Annual reports of OIE Reference Laboratories and Collaborating Centres, 2010
Equine viral arteritis
qPCR tests for the diagnosis of EAV in semen to increase our range of test capabilities. Once developed, these will
be validated and accredited to ISO17025. We are also looking at developing our own EVA ELISA test to
complement our EVA VN-test.
6.
Collection, analysis and dissemination of epizootiological data relevant to international disease
control
The VLA detected two positive semen samples taken from stallions imported from the Netherlands. One stallion
had been imported 2 years ago and another 9 months previous to testing for the presence of EAV. These were both
promptly communicated to our National Authority, Defra.
7.
Provision of consultant expertise to OIE or to OIE Members
The OIE Reference Expert provided commentary on revisions to the OIE Chapter in the Manual of Diagnostic
Tests and Vaccines, both directly to the OIE and to the UK Government.
The VLA provided valuable consultancy expertise to both Chile and Argentina regarding a positive shedding
stallion.
8.
Provision of scientific and technical training to personnel from other OIE Members
None for 2010
9.
Provision of diagnostic testing facilities to other OIE Members
During 2010 Chile sought the technical expertise of the VLA regarding a positive shedding stallion.
The VLA detected EAV in semen straws from Chile by RT-PCR and qPCR and successfully sequenced the ORF5
portion of the genome of the detected virus.
10. Organisation of international scientific meetings on behalf of OIE or other international bodies
None for 2010
11. Participation in international scientific collaborative studies
None for 2010
12. Publication and dissemination of information relevant to the work of OIE (including list of
scientific publications, internet publishing activities, presentations at international conferences)
None for 2010
13. Inscription of diagnostic kits on the OIE Register
i)
Did you participate in expert panels for the validation of candidate kits for inscription on the
OIE Register? If yes, for which kits?
None for 2010
Annual reports of OIE Reference Laboratories and Collaborating Centres, 2010
3
Equine viral arteritis
ii)
Did you submit to the OIE candidate kits for inscription on the OIE Register? If yes, for
which kits?
None for 2010
Acknowledgements:
The role of VLA Weybridge as an OIE Reference Laboratory for EVA is funded by the UK Department for
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) under contract SV3300. This report was prepared by Trevor Drew
and David Westcott.
_______________
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Annual reports of OIE Reference Laboratories and Collaborating Centres, 2010