Skip to main content
ARS Home » Plains Area » Manhattan, Kansas » Center for Grain and Animal Health Research » ABADRU » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #220267
Title: New Diagnostic Tools for Detecting Rift Valley Fever (RVF) and other Arboviruses

Author
item Wilson, William - Bill
item Drolet, Barbara
item Kato, Cecilia
item Harpster, Mark
item Bennett, Kristine
item O Hearn, Emily
item Reeves, Will
item Mecham, James
item Miller, Myrna
item STALKNECHT, DAVIS - UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA

Submitted to: United States Animal Health Association Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/24/2007
Publication Date: 8/1/2008
Citation: Wilson, W.C., Drolet, B.S., Kato, C.Y., Harpster, M.H., Bennett, K.E., O Hearn, E.S., Reeves, W.K., Mecham, J.O., Miller, M.M., Stalknecht, D. 2008. New Diagnostic Tools for Detecting Rift Valley Fever (RVF) and other Arboviruses. United States Animal Health Association Proceedings, Reno, NV, October 18-24, 2007, 111:798-799.

Interpretive Summary: The Arthropod-Borne Animal Diseases Research Laboratory (ABADRL) has been involved with the development of diagnostic tests for bluetongue virus (BTV) and the related epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) for many years. This report summarizes the existing and developing diagnostic tests for these viruses. In addition, the recent outbreak of Rift Valley fever (RVF) virus in East Africa has highlighted the need for validated early detection tools for RVF. The ABADRL has established cooperative research relationships and has initiated this new research assignment.

Technical Abstract: The outbreak of West Nile virus in the United Sates and the recent outbreak of Rift Valley fever (RVF) virus in East Africa have highlighted the need for validated early detection tools for arthropod-borne animal diseases. The Arthropod-Borne Animal Diseases Research Laboratory (ABADRL) has been involved with the development of diagnostic tests for bluetongue virus (BTV) and the related epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) for many years. Bluetongue viruses causes disease in sheep, cattle and deer and has significant economic impact due to trade barriers. Although U.S. EHDV strains have not been experimentally proven to cause disease in cattle, there is serologic evidence of widespread infection in cattle. Several immunological based assays have been developed by ABADRL for detecting antibodies of, and antigens to BTV and EHDV. ABADRL has developed a high-throughput infrared reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for detection of indigenous and exotic BTV and EHDV in insects. ABADRL has also developed quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) tests that detect and distinguish RNA from indigenous and exotic BTV and EHDV serogroups. Many of these BTV/EHDV diagnostic tests are in use by diagnostic laboratories and the qRT-PCR is being validated. In addition, novel diagnostic approaches are being developed and evaluated. The RVF outbreak has prompted the evaluation of existing diagnostic tests and the development of new operator-safe diagnostic assays for livestock samples. These tests included immunological assays based on expressed RVF antigens and a multiplex qRT-PCR. To accomplish this new research assignment, the ABADRL has established national and international cooperative research relationships.