1

Speaker(s)：

Yu-Liang Huang

Topic

Report on the Development of Diagnostic Test Kits and Laboratory Diagnostic Techniques for Important Swine Viral Diseases and Exchange of Diagnostic Techniques and Experiences in FMD National/Reference Laboratory under Taiwan - Thailand Agricultural Cooperation

Abstract

As part of a bilateral collaborative project between Taiwan and Thailand under the Taiwan-Thailand Agricultural Cooperation Agreements, Drs. Tsai, Deng and Huang from our institute visited several governmental veterinary agencies in Thailand, including the Department of Livestock Development, the National Institute of Animal Health, the Bureau of Veterinary Biologics, the OIE SEA FMD Reference Laboratory, the Veterinary Biologic Assay Division, the Center of Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases in Animals at Chulalongkorn University, while attending the 4^th Taiwan - Thailand Agricultural Symposium held from the 17^th August 2015 to 21^st of August 2015. The main objective of the visit was to discuss the diagnostic techniques of transboundary diseases and exchange experiences in the prevention and monitoring of the diseases. The diagnostic kits and monoclone antibody of classical swine fever virus (CSFV) and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) were tested in the field samples collected in Thailand. The results of CSFV monoclone antibody and diagnostic kits showed high sensitivity and specificity, demonstrating their reliability and commercial values to the National Institute of Animal Husbandry (NIAH) of Taiwan when establishing an OIE reference laboratory on CSFV. The high sensitivity and specificity were also found in the results of PRRSV diagnostic kits against the North American (NA) genotype and highly pathogenic (HP)-PRRSV. However, the results of PRRSV diagnostic kits against the European (EU) genotype were poor, highlighting the need to further optimize the existing diagnostic techniques. In addition, the experiences for disease control and diagnosis of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), CSFV, and PRRSV were also discussed during this visit. These experience exchanges can help us understand the diagnostic methods and controls against animal diseases in Thailand. In this light, we can learn from Thailand’s skillful diagnostic methods and control measures.

2

Speaker(s)：

Cheng-chu Hsieh

Topic

Bio-products Quality Control Inspection of Biologics During 2011-2015

Abstract

3

Speaker(s)：

Yen-Lin Lee

Topic

Development of Bovine Ephemeral Fever Oil Vaccine

Abstract

Bovine ephemeral fever (BEF) is an arthropod-borne disease caused by rhabdovirus. In Taiwan, the first outbreak of BEF occurred in 1967, with recurrent outbreaks occurring every two to six years thereafter. This febrile disease has caused serious economic damages to the dairy and grazing industry by reducing milk production and raising cull rates. A vaccination program has been implemented which requires two shots of attenuated vaccine in calves and one booster every half year thereafter. According to serum neutralizing (SN) antibody titers of cattle inoculated with BEF vaccine, the highest titer was observed one month after inoculation, and then dropped gradually after a few months. Although the conventional aluminum phosphate (Al-gel) vaccine is safe and induces a quick immune response, the high antibody titer does not last long enough to provide effective herd immunity. In order to minimize the financial losses caused by this disease, the aim of the study was to develop an oil-based inactivated vaccine for its longer immunity than that of a conventional, water-based vaccine. A total of fifty mice were divided into ten groups and were inoculated with two doses of the same amount of antigen with different adjuvants in two week intervals. Six months later, the mice in each group received one booster shot. The results revealed that most mice showed no adverse reaction after vaccination except the ones in PTH and PTH-D groups. Although the skin around the injection sites appeared seriously red and swollen in these two groups, the mice developed a rapid and high level of SN antibody response against BEF virus. Similar results were also observed in the Al-gel, CPC and MCPC groups. In addition, the antibody titers of each mouse in these five groups were higher than 1:1024 after 3 rounds of vaccination. We plan on conducting safety and efficacy trials for these vaccines on cattle in the coming year. We hope to find an adequate and safe adjuvant capable of conferring long-term herd immunity thus replacing the original Al-gel for the BEF inactivated vaccine.