The use of diagnostic NCP kits/tests for foot-and-mouth disease in cattle and other susceptible species: constraints and challenges

BERGMANN I.E.; MALIRAT V; NEITZERT E; DE MENDONÇA CAMPOS R,

Asunción

Conferencia; First OIE/FAO Global Conference on foot and mouth disease - The way towards global control.; 2011

Organización Mundial de la Salud Animal

During the period from 2000 to 2009 there has been an increased application of tests that detect foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV) antibodies to non-capsid proteins (NCP) to assess past and present infection and circulation irrespective of vaccination, particularly in support of an application to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) for FMD-free status where vaccination is practised. The widespread use of these tests has brought into play new kits and in-house tests. A major challenge, that will determine the success of a reliable and comparable application of the tests by trading partners and in support of control programmes, is to ensure the equivalence of results and their interpretation. This paper examines the factors that can affect the reliability of test results and the efforts that are being undertaken by the OIE and other international and national organisations for equivalent use and interpretation of NCP testing. The constraints that have been overcome and future challenges that are being addressed to respond to the international requirements for defining freedom from infection/circulation, within the guidelines specified by the OIE, are discussed.