Improvement and development of rapid chromatographic strip-tests for the diagnosis of rinderpest and peste des petits ruminants viruses.

This paper describes the improvement of a rapid diagnostic test for the detection of rinderpest virus (RPV) at pen-side and the development of a similar test for the detection of another Morbillivirus, peste de petits ruminants virus (PPRV). Using the Svanova Biotech format, prototype chromatographic strip test devices were developed for RPV and PPRV detection. For the RP device, the incorporation of a monoclonal antibody (Mab), which recognises additional RPV strains of RPV lineage 2, enhanced the range of reactivity of the rapid diagnostic test. The device detected antigen in animals infected experimentally with different RPV strains. It also showed detection levels similar to the RP Clearview™ device reported previously. In addition, RPV was also detected under field conditions in Pakistan. A PPRV specific Mab (C77) was used for the development of the PPR test. This Mab recognised a wide range of PPRV isolates and did not show any cross-reactivity with any other virus tested. In animal experiments the device was able to detect viral antigen in eye swabs taken from the animals. The PPRV test should be invaluable for future PPR control eradication programs.