Avian influenza  (AI) – also known as ‘bird flu’ – remains a hot topic, with outbreaks and active restrictions continuing across Europe. According to a recent scientific report 867 outbreaks of highly pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Virus were reported between September and December 2021 (1).

Influenza strains are classified by their haemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N) surface proteins. There are 16 subtypes of haemagglutinin and 9 subtypes of neuraminidase, giving rise to the classic influenza nomenclature – H1N1 and so on. HPAI strains are always H5 or H7. The epidemiology of Influenza Viruses is complex. They evolve constantly by a combination of genetic mutation and reassortment and the emergence of new strains can pose a significant threat to animal and human health.

When faced with an outbreak, veterinarians need to be able to test for and identify AI strains rapidly and efficiently, providing critical information on whether a strain is notifiable and the next steps they should take.

INDICAL’s virotype Influenza A H5/H7/H9 RT-PCR Kit (FLI-C 072) enables simultaneous detection and differentiation of AIV subtypes H5, H7 and H9 in a single RT-qPCR run. The test detects all currently circulating European, Asian and North American H5, H7 and H9 strains and clades.

Outperforming singleplex PCR assays in both sensitivity and efficiency, this ready-to-use quadruplex assay is compatible with most common thermocyclers, delivering reliable results in just 1 hour.

The virotype Influenza A H5/H7/H9 RT-PCR Kit is just one of our solutions for rapid reliable screening and differentiation in avian influenza.

Learn more about the range now (PDF)

 

References

  1. European Food Safety Authority, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and European Union Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza. Avian influenza overview September – December 2021. doi: 10.2903/j.efsa.2021.7108. ( https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/avian-influenza-overview-september-december-2021)

Antimicrobial resistance: Impacting on human and animal health

A recent report by Citi Research outlined the projected impact of Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) on human health and its associated economic impact, alongside how companies, including INDICAL, are helping to mitigate this (1).

The World Health Organization (WHO) ranks antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as one of the top 10 threats to global public health (2). The use of antibiotics in agriculture is widely recognized as a significant contributing factor to AMR, with the link between antibiotic use in farming and resistance in human infections well documented.

Reducing the use of antibiotics to prevent diseases conversely increases the demand for vaccines, as well as accurate disease testing – which is where INDICAL comes in.


Antibiotics in livestock farming

Antibiotics have been used in farming for over six decades and the Alliance to Save Our Antibiotics estimates that 66% of all antibiotics are used in farm animals (3). But things are changing.

  • In 2006, the EU moved to ban the use of antibiotics for growth promotion.
  • In 2013, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) established a voluntary phase-out over 3 years of shared-class antibiotics (i.e., antibiotics used in both animal and human health).
  • In 2017, the WHO recommended that animals only receive antibiotics for veterinary purposes and that healthy animals only receive antibiotics to prevent disease where other animals in the same herd, flock, etc. have been diagnosed with a disease.

The use of antibiotics and growth promoters is declining due to rising awareness of antibiotic resistance, regulation and consumer preferences.

An interesting insight into consumer preferences arose from survey work by Global Opportunity Explorer, which indicated that 37% of consumers were willing to pay a price premium of >$1 per pound for antibiotic free meat, and 86% of consumers would prefer antibiotic-free meat at their local grocery store.

The role of precision diagnostics in reducing AMR

As antibiotic use declines through greater awareness, regulation and legislation and consumer preference, there is an increased focus on disease prevention, point-of-care testing and early detection of outbreaks. It’s here that INDICAL’s precision diagnostics play a key role in helping to identify, prevent, monitor, and eradicate animal diseases.

Learn more about our complete solutions for molecular and immunological veterinary testing and how we strive to improve veterinary diagnostics for better animal and human health at www.indical.com.

 

References

  1. Citi Research. Global ESG & SRI: Antimicrobial Resistance and the link to Animal Health. 29 Nov 2021.
  2. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/antimicrobial-resistance. Accessed 24 January 2022.
  3. https://www.saveourantibiotics.org/. Accessed 24 January 2022. a

African swine fever (ASF) is a notifiable, contagious viral hemorrhagic disease of swine, responsible for high mortality and serious economic losses. In this paper, researchers from the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI) aimed to simplify and standardize the molecular diagnostic workflow in the lab using prefilled, ready-to-use IndiMag Pathogen Cartridges for nucleic acid extraction prior to (real-time) PCR.

The study concluded that using prefilled cartridges for DNA extraction does not reduce diagnostic sensitivity. Indeed, minimization of manual handling and increased hands-off time delivered by prefilled IndiMag Pathogen Cartridges for extraction and qPCR can reduce the risk of false-negative and -positive results, especially in high-throughput scenarios.

Read more about the scientific study

Learn more about prefilled cartridges

The outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) in the Dominican Republic now covers the majority of provinces, as confirmed by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). Identification of this notifiable disease generally results in the suspension of exports of pigs and pig products, causing huge losses to a country’s swine industry. This outbreak – the first in 40 years in the Americas – has already seen the culling of over 50,000 pigs.

Concerned about potential spread to the US territory of Puerto Rico, some ~200 miles away, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), part of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) have established a protection zone and are conducting surveillance to quickly detect introductions of disease. APHIS is also actively supporting the Dominican Republic with detection, surveillance, quarantine, depopulation, and disposal.

Interested in learning more about ASF strategy and readiness from key opinion leaders? Take a look at our latest webinar where you meet our two experts – Professor Grzegorz Woźniakowski (Nicolaus Copernicus University) and Ahmed Elnagar (Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut; FLI) and get their insights into ASF outbreak strategy and readiness, together with the latest in innovative diagnostics.


African swine fever (ASF) is a notifiable, contagious viral hemorrhagic disease of swine, responsible for high mortality and serious economic losses. In the paper Swift and Reliable “Easy Lab” methods for the sensitive molecular detection of African swine fever, researchers from the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI) aimed to simplify and standardize the molecular diagnostic workflow in the lab using prefilled, ready-to-use IndiMag Pathogen Cartridges for nucleic acid extraction prior to (real-time) PCR.

The study concluded that:

  1. EDTA blood and bloody materials are the sample matrices of choice for sensitive ASFV genome detection, independent of the course and phase of the disease.
  2. If optimal specimens are used for the molecular detection of ASFV, several extraction, and qPCR methods are “fit for purpose”. The selection of the ideal system for a specific lab depends on various factors (samples per day, trained personnel, technical resources, etc.).
  3. Based on the minimization of manual handling and working time, we showed that simplification and standardization of DNA extraction and qPCR methods do not result in reduced diagnostic sensitivity and actually reduces the risk of false-negative results, especially in high throughput scenarios.

At INDICAL, we share scientific insights, because improved exchange of knowledge and increased awareness are crucial in implementing efficient and coordinated ASF control strategies.

Read the full article here

Explore INDICAL’s solutions for extraction and identification of ASFV

As of August 2021, African Swine Fever (ASF) was present in more than 50 countries, causing huge economic losses to the swine industry. In 2013, the virus was first observed in Baltic countries and Poland and not only in domestic pigs, but also in the wild boar population.

In Poland, outbreaks have increased and spread from east to west since 2014, with the main drivers being non-compliance with biosecurity rules and continuous infection in wild boar.

Successful methods to combat ASF

  • Electric fences
  • So-called “white zones” – where the population of wild boar should be zero
  • Chemical repellents
  • Hunting (licensed)
  • Increased awareness through campaigns to farmers, vets, etc.

Controlling ASFV in Europe

ASF will be present in Poland – and throughout Europe – for many more years, so measures are required to reduce economic loss. A comprehensive EU-wide strategy includes regionalization and compartmentalization of outbreaks, enabling best-possible disease control, while minimizing any negative impact of ASF on pig production and export. Early diagnosis and surveillance are the key factors against ASF spread.

Watch the full webinar here