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The objectives of this project are to enhance the capability and capacity of State and University animal disease diagnostic laboratories to perform/provide 1) surveillance for routine and exotic/foreign animal diseases, 2) early detection of foreign animal diseases, 3) a rapid response to disease outbreaks, and 4) the appropriate and timely recovery from an animal agriculture catastrophe. <P>
The maximum weekly output in testing which can be performed at the SDSU-ADRDL is as follows: Serology testing for END (2500 tests/week); Serology testing for AI (2500 tests/week); ELISA testing for Scrapie (200 tests/week); ELISA testing for CWD (200 tests/week); PCR testing for END (150 tests/week); PCR testing for AI (150 tests/week); IHC testing for Scrapie (180 tests/week); IHC testing for CWD (180 tests/week). Although the SDSU-ADRDL is not currently authorized to test for BSE, the equipment and personnel are already in place. With authorization and the proper reagents, the laboratory could perform up to 200 ELISA BSE tests/week and up to 180 IHC BSE tests/week.
NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: The presence of a network of diagnostic laboratories means that facilities, personnel, and expertise are available nationwide, no matter where a disease outbreak occurs. The mission statement of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) includes the following: provide timely, accurate and consistent services nationwide with a focus on exotic, zoonotic, and emerging diseases of livestock and non-livestock species; provide laboratory data to meet epidemiological and disease reporting needs, and to maintain the laboratory network capacity and capability in order to respond to foreign animal disease outbreaks or other adverse animal health events. During the fall of 2008 the SDSU ADRDL joined with the South Dakota Game Fish and Parks Department and Wildlife Services to test >750 wild birds for Avian Influenza Virus infection, using the PCR test (Avian Influenza matrix screen) followed, in the case of a positive matrix test result, by H5 and H7 PCR tests. The SDSU ADRDL also tests wild bird samples from other states as a member of the NAHLN. The lab continues to work with the state meat inspection programs of ND and SD to test all farm raised cervids such as deer and elk for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) via the immunohistochemistry (IHC) test. ADRDL also performs Scrapie IHC testing for the various regulatory programs designed to aid in the eradication of Scrapie. In addition to the regulatory programs, ADRDL has joined with South Dakota Game Fish and Parks Department during the 2009-2009 deer and elk hunting seasons, to perform surveillance testing for CWD utilizing the BioRad ELISA with confirmatory IHC testing.
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APPROACH: The NAHLN grant funds provided this year will increase South Dakota's diagnostic capabilities and capacity in preparation for responding to animal disease outbreaks, especially those with significant consequences. In addition, testing equipment enhancements such as automated Immunohistochemistry (IHC) lab processing equipment (tissue cassette printer) will increase the laboratory's ability to rapidly process samples. This will increase weekly output potential, and further familiarize our technicians with the operation of automated, high-throughput equipment. During the fall of 2009/spring of 2010 the SDSU ADRDL will be cooperating with the South Dakota Game Fish and Parks Department and Wildlife Services to test approximately 600 wild birds for Avian Influenza Virus infection, using the Avian Influenza matrix PCR test followed by H5 and H7 PCR testing when necessary (i.e. a positive matrix test result). The SDSU ADRDL will also test additional samples from other states via USDA APHIS NAHLN coordination as requested. The lab will continue to work with state meat inspection programs of ND and SD to test all farm raised cervids for CWD by IHC testing. Similar testing of sheep will be used as a part of the various regulatory Scrapie surveillance programs. (The ADRDL will also cooperate with the SD Game Fish and Parks Department during the 2009-2010 deer and elk hunting seasons to conduct surveillance for CWD utilizing the BioRad ELISA and confirmatory immunohistochemistry testing.)