Immunochromatographic lateral flow test for detection of antibodies to Equine infectious anemia virus.

The research article is about the development and testing of a rapid diagnostic test for Equine Infectious Anemia Virus (EIAV) using recombinant p26 capsid protein (rp26) as the detection reagent.

Objective of the Study

• The primary objective of this study was to create and assess an immunochromatographic lateral flow (ICLF) test designed to detect the Equine Infectious Anemia Virus (EIAV) in equine serum samples.

Methodology

• A recombinant p26 (rp26) viral protein was used as a parameter for detection in the ICLF test. This protein was used as a capture protein in the test line, and as the detection reagent, where it was linked to colloidal gold.
• The performance of this rp26-ICLF test was then evaluated, and the results were compared with an existing international standard, the agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) test.

Results

• The rp26-ICLF test showcased diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and concordance values that were comparable to other ICLF tests used for various animal infectious diseases.
• Results demonstrated significant repeatability, reproducibility and agreement with previous blind studies, proving the test’s precision.
• Compared to the AGID test, the constructed ICLF test provided similar or better results in terms of serial dilution endpoints of serum samples, indicating it has the same analytical sensitivity as the reference method for EIA diagnosis.
• The test did not demonstrate cross-reactivity when the serum samples were taken from horses with other infectious diseases.

Conclusion

• The rp26-ICLF test was identified as a precise and rapid diagnostic tool which can be utilized for field screening in veterinary practice. The test requires minimal equipment and operator expertise.
• However, the research suggested that more work is needed to further improve the sensitivity level of the test.