Oral Fluid ELISA Tests Funded

October 3, 2017 — Paul Sundberg

Export markets play a big role in pork producers' profitability. The ability to show when the national herd has or has not been exposed to a pathogen will help to keep exports growing and viable. Producers and their veterinarians may also be able to contain a pathogen more quickly if a diagnosis is determined through ELISA tests for oral fluids.

Research projects funded by the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) this week will result in developing ELISA tests for use with oral fluids for selected pathogens on the Swine Disease Matrix. The pathogens were selected by the SHIC Preparedness and Response Working Group as being those presenting the highest current or future need for an oral fluid ELISA. This process included evaluation of possible need to be able to:

• measure national, regional, state or local herd status for the pathogen
• show the lack of exposure to the agent to trading partners or other stakeholders, keeping or re-opening export markets has a big impact on producers

ELISA only shows there has been exposure to the agent, not if it is still there or if there is an infection. With the development of oral fluid ELISA, measuring exposure and impact will be simplified and response to possible outbreaks will be accelerated due to the nature and speed of the oral fluid ELISA test.

To see the entire Swine Disease Matrix, click here.

Funded by America's pork producers to protect and enhance the health of the US swine herd, the Swine Health Information Center focuses its efforts on prevention, preparedness, and response. As a conduit of information and research, SHIC encourages sharing of its publications and research for the benefit of swine health. Forward, reprint, and quote SHIC material freely. For more information, visit http://www.swinehealth.org or contact Dr. Paul Sundberg at psundberg@swinehealth.org.

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Paul Sundberg, Executive Director, Swine Health Information Center