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Proficiency tests for African swine fever (ASF) diagnosis are organized annually by the EU Reference Laboratory for ASF (CISA-INIA, Madrid, Spain, EURL) to assess competence and qualifications of the diagnostic laboratory staff-members in the European Union and interested third countries.

In 2020, the Rosselkhoznadzor-subordinated FGBI “ARRIAH” Reference Laboratory for ASF (ID 45) participated to the above-said proficiency tests in the sixth consecutive year. Two panels of coded samples (serum (S1-S16) and organ suspensions (T1-T4)) for detection of antibodies against ASF virus and ASF virus genome with methods used in the laboratory were obtained for the said proficiency testing. In should be noted that samples from the animals infected with ASF virus of different genotype and serotype and different virulence taken at different times after infection as well as taken from animals with different disease forms: acute and chronic were provided by the EURL for the proficiency testing (Fig. 1 a, b).

Figure 1а.

Figure 1b

The Russian Laboratory specialists performed tests for ASF genome in accordance with the Methodical Guidelines for detection of ASF virus genome with real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) developed by the FGBI “ARRIAH” Reference Laboratory for ASF.

ASFV DNA was detected in 8 serum samples (S7 - S10, S12 - S13, S15 - S16) and in 2 pathological material samples (T3, Т4) during the tests performed by the FGBI “ARRIAH” specialists.

Coded serum samples were tested in accordance with the Methodical Guidelines for detection of antibodies against African swine fever virus with complex antigen-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) developed by the FGBI “ARRIAH” Reference Laboratory for ASF.

ASF virus-specific antibodies were detected in 4 serum samples (S4, S5, S11, S14) during tests performed by the FGBI “ARRIAH” specialists.

According to the results of tests performed by the FGBI “ARRIAH” Reference Laboratory for ASF, the Laboratory specialists successfully passed the proficiency tests and made correct diagnosis for all coded samples (the test results were confirmed|/decoded by the EURL in the Final Report) thereby demonstrating their high competence and qualifications (Fig. 2).

Figure 2

Note: POSITIVE – positive result; NEGATIVE – negative result.

In the Final Report the EURL specialists highly appreciated the FGBI “ARRIAH” Reference ASF Laboratory staff-member qualifications as well as diagnostic kits and test-systems used for diagnosis in the Reference ASF Laboratory: “Correct final diagnostic result was provided for each sample included in the XVII ASFV ILCT 2020 according to our expectations. Based on the obtained results the EU Reference Laboratory for ASF has found that your diagnostic procedures are compliant with the requirements for use for ASF diagnosis in the country”.

The tests results are indicative of benefits of the FGBI “ARRIAH”-developed Methodical Guidelines for ASF diagnosis with PCR and ELISA methods and support the said Methodical Guidelines usefulness and prospects for putting into laboratory practice in veterinary institutions of the Russian Federation.

Press Office of the FGBI “ARRAIAH”