Equine Encephalomyelitis (Eastern, Western and Venezuelan)

Equine encephalomyelitis (Eastern, Western and Venezuelan)

OIE Reference Laboratory Reports

Activities in 2011

Name of disease (or topic) for which you are a designated OIE Reference Laboratory: / Equine encephalomyelitis (Eastern, Western, and Venezuelan)
Address of laboratory: / National Veterinary Services Laboratories
USDA, APHIS, VS
P.O. Box 844, 1920 Dayton Avenue
Ames, IA 50010
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Tel.: / (+1-515) 337-7551
Fax: / (+1-515) 337-7348
e-mail address: /
website: /
Name (including Title and Position) of Head of Laboratory (Responsible Official): / Dr Elizabeth A. Lautner
Director, National Veterinary Services Laboratories
Name (including Title and Position) of OIE Reference Expert: / Dr Eileen N. Ostlund
Head, Equine and Ovine Viruses Section
Name (including Title and Position) of writer of this report
(if different from above):

Part I:Summary of general activities related to the disease

1.Test(s) in use/or available for the specified disease/topic at your laboratory

Test / For / Specificity / Total
Serological assays:
HI / EEE Antibody / Type / 1,542
HI / WEE Antibody / Type / 1,391
HI / VEE Antibody / Type / 152

CF

/ EEE Antibody / Type / 505

CF

/ WEE Antibody / Type / 505

CF

/ VEE Antibody / Type / 49

PRNT

/ EEE Antibody / Type / 997

PRNT

/ WEE Antibody / Type / 478

PRNT

/ VEE Antibody / Type / 519

IgM Capture ELISA

/ EEE Antibody / Type / 389

IgM Capture ELISA

/ WEE Antibody / Type / 2

IgM Capture ELISA

/ VEE Antibody / Type / 32
Virus detection:

Inoculation of Vero and RK-13 cell cultures

/ Virus Isolation / Type / 5
Molecular:

PCR

/ Viral RNA Detection andIdentification (EEE, WEE, VEE) / Type / 59

2.Production and distribution of diagnostic reagents

Type of reagent / Amount supplied nationally
(including for own use) / Amount supplied to other countries
EEE mouse brain antigen / 20 vials of 1 ml / 4 vials of 1 ml
WEE mouse brain antigen / 23 vials of 1 ml
VEE mouse brain antigen / 17 vials of 1 ml / 1 vial of 1 ml
Control mouse brain antigen / 5 vials of 1 ml
EEE virus / 58 vials of 0.6 ml
WEE virus / 53 vials of 0.6 ml
VEE virus / 48 vials of 0.6 ml
EEE antiserum (for PRNT, HI, CF) / 7 vials of 2 ml
Type of reagent / Amount supplied nationally
(including for own use) / Amount supplied to other countries
WEE antiserum (for PRNT, HI, CF) / 4 vials of 2 ml
Normal control serum for (HI, CF) / 1 vial of 2 ml
VEE antiserum (for PRNT, HI, CF) / 2 vials of 2 ml
EEE antiserum (for IgM ELISA) / 7 vials of 1 ml
WEE antiserum (for IgM ELISA) / 2 vials of 1 ml
VEE antiserum (for IgM ELISA) / 2vials of 1 ml
Normal control serum (for IgM ELISA) / 2 vials of 1ml
EEE virus RNA / 8 vials / 8 vials
WEE virus RNA / 16 vials / 8 vials
VEE virus RNA / 4 vials / 8 vials

OIE Members receiving reagents were Chile and China.

Part II:Activities specifically related to the mandate
of OIE Reference Laboratories

3.International harmonisation and standardisation of methods for diagnostic testing or the production and testing of vaccines

a)Establishment and maintenance of a network with other OIE Reference Laboratories designated for the same pathogen or disease and organisation of regular inter-laboratory proficiency testing to ensure comparability of results

There are no other OIE Reference Laboratories for Equine Encephalomyelitis (Eastern, Western, Venezuelan).

b)Organisation of inter-laboratory proficiency testing with laboratories other than OIE Reference Laboratories for the same pathogens and diseases to ensure equivalence of results.

The Reference laboratory participated in ongoing harmonization of diagnostic testing methods with:Chile, Germany, and the United Kingdom through provision of protocols, consultation, and/or reagents.

4.Preparation and supply of international reference standards for diagnostic tests or vaccines

Reference Standards provided are listed in Reagents section (#2).No OIE recognized reference standards were produced.

5.Research and development of new procedures for diagnosis and control

The laboratory is presently optimizing procedures for insect cell culture origin antigens for diagnostic testing.

6.Collection, analysis and dissemination of epizootiological data relevant to international disease control

Data on the number and location (state) of United States isolates of EEE and WEE are compiled and are available on request.Data on number and location (state) of reported equine cases of EEE and WEE in the United States are available at:

7.Maintenance of a system of quality assurance, biosafety and biosecurity relevant to the pathogen and the disease concerned

The National Veterinary Services Laboratories’ Quality Management System is accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 by an independent accreditation body recognized by the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation. Audits and surveillance visits are an ongoing part of maintaining ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.Biosafety and biosecurity at the NVSL comply with the U. S. Department of Agriculture and U. S. Department of Health and Human Services Select Agent Program and as such meet or exceed guidelines established in “Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories”.

8.Provision of consultant expertise to OIE or to OIE Member Countries

• Representative from laboratory provided lecture on equine encephalomyelitis for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency course on Foreign Animal Diseases.
• Laboratory provided testing and consultation to Belize, Costa Rica, Chile, and Mexico.
• Laboratory provided consultation to India and the United Kingdom regarding testing for animal movement.
• Laboratory provided consultation and protocols to Argentina, Australia, and Colombia

9.Provision of scientific and technical training to personnel from other OIE Member Countries

Laboratory assistance and training are available at the National Veterinary Services Laboratories.Two scientists from Colombia received training in equine encephalomyelitis diagnostic techniques.

10.Provision of diagnostic testing facilities to other OIE Member Countries

The Reference Laboratory provided assistance in diagnostic testing of equine samples and/or testing for animal movement forBelize, Canada,Chile, Costa Rica, Germany, Mexico, Netherlands, Peru, Thailand, and United Kingdom.No equine encephalitis virus isolates were obtained from samples originating outside the United States of America; therefore, no OIE reports were made.

11.Organisation of international scientific meetings on behalf of OIE or other international bodies

None

12.Participation in international scientific collaborative studies

The Reference Laboratory embarked on a collaborative study with Korea to evaluate eastern, western and Venezuelan equine encephalitis PCR primers.

12.Publication and dissemination of information relevant to the work of OIE (including list of scientific publications, internet publishing activities, presentations at international conferences)

Presentations at international conferences and meetings

None

Scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals

None

Other communications

None

______

Annual reports of OIE Reference Centres, 20111