Xth ICT, August 2000

The lateral flow card test: an alternative method for the detection of Trichinella infection in swine

¹ A.R.T.E. International SRL, Pascal Cristian 33, 77713 Bucharest, Romania. Tel.: (401)312 1254, 312 5064 - Fax : (401) 312 5643. e-mail : arte-med@cabletv.ro
² USDA, Parasite Biology and Epidemiology Laboratory, Beltsville, MD20705, USA.
³ Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy (INEP), Belgrade, Yugoslavia.
⁴ Institute for Diagnosis and Animal Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Food National Sanitary Vetiranary Agency (IDSA), Bucharest, Romania.
⁵ Directia Sanitara Veterinara (DSV), Timisoara, Romania.
⁶ 6UMR, BIPAR, Maisons-Alfort Cedex, France.
⁷ Institute of Meat Hygiene and Technology, Belgrade, Yugoslavia.
⁸ USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA.
⁹ BgVV, Berlin, Germany.
¹⁰ Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.

Abstract

A novel lateral flow card (TS-Card pork) test was developed for the serological detection of Trichinella infected pigs. Based on extensive studies performed in Romania during 1 999-2000 this test proved to be highly specific, sensitive, rapid (3-12 minutes) and easy to use (no need for laboratory facilities). It can be used both for the detection of Trichinella infection in carcasses and for epizootiological studies using a variety of samples including whole or dried blood, serum, or tissue fluids. The TS-Card pork test, used as a screening test, can be the foundation of an on-farm or field based inspection system to significantly improve food safety in countries with a high prevalence of Trichinella in pigs or other food animal species. The results presented are also promising for application of the test in an on-line laboratory based inspection system since the speed of the test allows sufficient time to rail out suspected hog carcasses during the slaughter process.