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Home / Equine Research Bank / Virol J / Development of a colloidal gold immunochromatographic strip ...
Virology journal2025; 22(1); 205; doi: 10.1186/s12985-025-02815-6

Development of a colloidal gold immunochromatographic strip to detect equine infectious anemia virus.

Abstract: Equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) poses a significant global threat to the equine industry, resulting in considerable economic losses and compromised horse health. Given the limited treatment options available, early detection and prevention strategies are essential to combat this viral infection. In this study, we introduce a novel colloidal gold immunochromatographic (ICLF) strip for the rapid and accurate detection of EIAV antibodies. The strip incorporates a unique fusion protein, p26-gp90, designed to enhance both the specificity and sensitivity of the detection method for EIAV antibodies. Through rigorous method validation, our strip has exhibited superior performance compared to existing detection methods. It demonstrates high sensitivity, improved specificity, and excellent stability, enabling reliable and long-term storage. Additionally, the strip allows for fast and precise analysis of clinical samples, making it an invaluable tool for the early detection and prevention of EIAV. The availability of such an accurate and efficient detection method will greatly enhance our ability to combat EIAV by enabling the early identification of infected horses and facilitating effective preventive measures.
© 2025. The Author(s).
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Publication Date: 2025-06-24 PubMed ID: 40555999PubMed Central: PMC12186446DOI: 10.1186/s12985-025-02815-6Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

Overview

  • This study focuses on the development of a new diagnostic tool, a colloidal gold immunochromatographic strip, for the rapid and accurate detection of equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) antibodies in horses.
  • The new test aims to improve early detection, which is critical due to the lack of effective treatments and the significant risk EIAV poses to horse health and the equine industry worldwide.

Background and Importance

  • Equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) is a viral disease that affects horses, leading to serious health problems and economic losses globally.
  • EIAV currently has limited treatment options available, making early diagnosis and preventive measures essential to control the spread of the infection.
  • Existing diagnostic methods may lack sensitivity, specificity, or practicality for rapid field detection, necessitating the development of better diagnostic tools.

Development of the Diagnostic Strip

  • The research introduced a colloidal gold immunochromatographic (ICLF) strip designed specifically to detect antibodies against EIAV.
  • A key innovation in the strip is the use of a unique fusion protein, p26-gp90, which was engineered to improve the test’s ability to accurately identify EIAV antibodies.
  • The fusion protein combines important viral antigenic components, enhancing both sensitivity (the ability to detect even low levels of antibodies) and specificity (the ability to distinguish EIAV antibodies from other antibodies).

Validation and Performance

  • The strip underwent rigorous validation to compare its performance against existing EIAV detection methods.
  • Results showed superior sensitivity, meaning it can detect the virus more reliably and at earlier infection stages.
  • Specificity improvements reduce false positive results, ensuring that only true EIAV infections are identified.
  • The strip also demonstrated excellent stability, allowing it to be stored long-term without loss of performance, which is important for practical use in diverse settings.

Practical Application and Impact

  • The designed strip allows fast, easy-to-use, and precise analysis of clinical samples, such as blood from horses, enabling on-site testing without the need for complex laboratory equipment.
  • This rapid testing capability facilitates early diagnosis, essential for timely implementation of preventive and control measures.
  • By enabling early identification of infected animals, the strip helps reduce the transmission of EIAV in the equine population, thus protecting horse health and limiting economic losses.
  • The tool is valuable not only for veterinarians and researchers but also for equine industry stakeholders invested in biosecurity and animal welfare.

Conclusion

  • The research presents a novel, effective diagnostic tool that enhances EIAV antibody detection, addressing critical gaps in current diagnostics.
  • The colloidal gold immunochromatographic strip with the p26-gp90 fusion protein represents a significant advancement in EIAV monitoring and control strategies.
  • Its adoption can facilitate improved disease management and prevention efforts, ultimately contributing to better health outcomes and economic benefits in the equine sector worldwide.

Cite This Article

APA
Wang J, Qiu J, Wang M, Wu X, Li X, Zhang H. (2025). Development of a colloidal gold immunochromatographic strip to detect equine infectious anemia virus. Virol J, 22(1), 205. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12985-025-02815-6

Publication

Virology journal
ISSN: 1743-422X
NlmUniqueID: 101231645
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 22
Issue: 1
Pages: 205
PII: 205

Researcher Affiliations

Wang, Jianzhong
  • Shanxi Key Laboratory for Modernization of TCVM, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong, 030801, China. jianzhongwang@cau.edu.cn.
Qiu, Jicheng
  • Beijing Yuanda Xinghuo Pharmaceutical Technology Co, Beijing, 102615, China.
Wang, Mengmeng
  • Hangzhou Evegen Biotech Co, Ltd., Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310018, China.
Wu, Xiaojie
  • Hangzhou Evegen Biotech Co, Ltd., Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310018, China.
Li, Xiaoguang
  • Hangzhou Evegen Biotech Co, Ltd., Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310018, China.
Zhang, Heng
  • Jiangsu Agri-animal Husbandry Vocational College, Taizhou, 225300, China. zhrealm@163.com.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Infectious Anemia Virus, Equine / isolation & purification
  • Infectious Anemia Virus, Equine / immunology
  • Horses
  • Gold Colloid / chemistry
  • Equine Infectious Anemia / diagnosis
  • Equine Infectious Anemia / virology
  • Chromatography, Affinity / methods
  • Chromatography, Affinity / instrumentation
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Reagent Strips

Grant Funding

  • 20210012 / Fund Program for the Scientific Activities of Selected Returned Overseas Professionals in Shanxi Province
  • YDZJSX2021A034 / Central Funds Guiding the Local Science and Technology Development in Shanxi Province
  • SXBYKY2021047 / the Project of Scientific Research for Excellent Doctors, Shanxi Province, China
  • RPJJ2020021 / the Research Fund (Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment of Pet) for Young College Teachers in Ruipeng Commonwealth Foundation
  • 2021BQ06 / the Project of Science and Technology Innovation Fund of Shanxi Agricultural University

Conflict of Interest Statement

Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: One hundred ninety-four clinical serum samples were collected from Tonglu Equestrian Center located in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, between June 2023 and May 2024. The study was evaluated and approved by Shanxi Agricultural University, 22402–23-D-009. All owners had been informed the usage of the samples. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Ren Q, Wang Y, Ma H, Xie J, Jin J, Tian R, Yu H, Gao X, Chen N. Recent Advances in Lateral Flow Immunoassay for Rapid Diagnosis of Viral Diseases.. Transbound Emerg Dis 2026;2026:5701806.
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