Bluetongue

OIE Reference Laboratory Reports

Activities in 2011

Name of disease (or topic) for which you are a designated OIE Reference Laboratory: / Bluetongue
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: / http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/lab_info_services
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
AGID / Antibody / Group / 35
CELISA / Antibody / Group / 326
CF / Antibody / Group / 5
VN / Antibody / Type / 45
Sheep Inoculation / Virus detection by seroconversion / Group / 307
Embryonated hen’s egg and BHK-21 cell culture inoculation / Virus isolation / Group / 259
PCR / Viral RNA detection / Group / 87

Typing PCR1

/ Identification of bluetongue virus type / Type / 30

1Bluetongue isolates were tested for multiple bluetongue types, using several PCR tests per bluetongue type.

2. Production and distribution of diagnostic reagents

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) licensed AGID, CF, and CELISA diagnostic kits for detection of bluetongue antibody are commercially available in the United States of America. Pre-license testing is conducted by the USDA Center for Veterinary Biologics. The following reagents were supplied by the OIE reference laboratory. No bluetongue reagent requests were received from OIE member countries in 2011.

Type of reagent / Amount supplied nationally
(including for own use)
Strong positive ELISA/AGID BT antiserum (OIE)
Weak positive ELISA/AGID BT antiserum (OIE)
Bluetongue antibody proficiency panels (20 samples/panel) / 52 sets of 20 vials, 0.6 ml per vial
Bluetongue virus antiserum for VN BTV-2
Bluetongue virus antiserum for VN BTV-10
Bluetongue virus antiserum for VN BTV-11
Bluetongue virus antiserum for VN BTV-13
Bluetongue virus antiserum for VN BTV-17 / 4 vials of 2 ml
4 vials of 2 ml
4 vials of 2 ml
4 vials of 2 ml
4 vials of 2 ml
Bluetongue virus fluorescent antibody conjugate / 13 vials of 1ml
Weak positive ELISA/AGID BT antiserum / 40 vials of 2 ml
Strong positive ELISA/AGID BT antiserum / 2 vials of 2 ml
Bluetongue virus (various types) / 29 vials of 0.6 ml

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

The Reference Laboratory is a member of the OIE Bluetongue Network and participated in the 3rd meeting (via teleconference) in 2011. The OIE Bluetongue network members are in the process of harmonizing both serologic and agent detection (PCR) methods for bluetongue. Additionally in 2011, we held a two day meeting at our laboratory with representatives from the OIE reference laboratory in Teramo, Italy. We are in the process of comparing methods to select appropriate updated methods for international use. Selected methods will be proposed for an update of the bluetongue chapter in the OIE Terrestrial Manual.

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

Bluetongue antibody AGID/CELISA proficiency panels are prepared and used in annual certification of approximately 60 laboratories in the United States of America. The panels (20 serum samples per panel) are available to OIE Member Countries upon request. The list of US laboratories approved to conduct bluetongue serology testing for export from the US can be found at: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/lab_info_services/approved_labs.shtml

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

Strong and weak positive AGID/ELISA OIE reference standard serum is available. Additionally, strong and weak positive national bluetongue reference antiserum is available to conserve the limited supply of OIE reference standard serum. Quantities are listed in part 2.

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

Reverse-transcriptase PCR methods to identify and type isolates of bluetongue virus and epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus were expanded.

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

Data on number, location (state), and serotype of United States bluetongue isolates are compiled and are available upon request

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 a lecture on bluetongue for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency course on Foreign Animal Diseases.

·  Designated expert consulted on the DISCONTOOLS Bluetongue virus project for the European Technology Platform for Global Animal Health (ETPGAH).

·  Laboratory assistance and training are available at the National Veterinary Services Laboratories.

·  Consultation and protocols were provided to the Republic of Korea.

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. No requests for scientific and technical training on bluetongue diagnostic techniques were received from OIE members.

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

Diagnostic testing and/or testing for animal movement was performed for Curacao, Peru, and Trinidad. No bluetongue 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

None

13. 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

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Annual reports of OIE Reference Centres 2011 3