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IDEXX Animal Health Updates
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your timely update of animal health and diagnostics
information.
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February 2003 Worldwide Edition
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IN THIS ISSUE
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THE
LATEST NEWS
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 In
Ruminant Testing |
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Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) is a severe
respiratory herpes virus infection in cattle caused by bovine herpes
virus 1 (BHV 1) and characterized by tracheitis, rhinitis and fever.
Typical clinical findings are dyspnea, salivation and nasal
discharge. BHV 1 may cause infectious pustular vulvovaginitis (IPV)
in cows, and infectious pustular balanoposthitis in bulls. Clinical
manifestations may affect feed efficiency, milk yield and
reproduction of cattle.
BHV 1 is a member of the genus Varicellovirus, which belongs to
the Herpesviridae family. The viral glycoproteins on the surface of
the virus play an important role in pathogenesis and immunity.
Glycoprotein B (gB) and glycoprotein E (gE) are most often used for
diagnostic purposes.
IBR can be diagnosed on clinical findings and detection of BHV 1
by virus isolation or PCR. For detection of antibodies to BHV 1,
virus neutralization test (VNT) and enzyme-linked immunoassay
(ELISA) is used. ELISA tests help to detect acute infections, to
demonstrate the absence of infection, to determine the prevalence of
infection, to support eradication programs and to detect
seroconversion post-infection or post-vaccination (OIE Manual.
2000:385).
IDEXX Laboratories offers three ELISA tests for detection of
antibodies to BHV 1:
HerdChek* Anti-IBR is an indirect ELISA for the detection
and the verification of antibody to BHV 1 in bovine serum and milk
using IBR and normal host cell antigens. This test is widely used in
North and South America to detect BHV 1 infection and vaccine
response after IBR vaccination.
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The HerdChek* IBRgB Test Kit is a highly sensitive blocking
ELISA for the detection of glycoprotein B-specific antibodies to BHV
1 in bovine serum, plasma and milk samples, using IBRgB-specific
antibodies. HerdChek* IBRgB is a highly sensitive screening
test for detection of BHV 1 infection and IBR vaccination.
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The HerdChek* Anti-IBRgE is an blocking ELISA for the
detection of bovine herpesvirus 1-specific gE antibodies in bovine
serum, plasma and milk samples. When used in IBR control programs
together with gE-deleted vaccines, the HerdChek Anti-IBRgE can be an
effective differential test for distinguishing naturally infected
animals from vaccinated animals. The test (specific for antibodies
to gE) will not detect animals vaccinated with gE-deleted marker
vaccines. Animals infected with BHV 1 field strains or vaccinated
with non-marker IBR vaccines are detected as positive.
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IBR is listed in OIE list B of bovine diseases. In many countries,
IBR eradication campaigns are ongoing. Scandinavia and Austria are
already free of IBR.
There are different strategies for IBR eradication, and IDEXX
Laboratories is providing suitable and validated diagnostic tools for
those programs.
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TECHNICAL
TIP OF THE MONTH
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This month's tip: Equipment Maintenance and Calibration:
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Download the Maintenance
and Calibration Schedule 
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The maintenance and calibration of your
laboratory equipment is extremely important to obtain accurate and
reproducible results. The maintenance and calibration schedule
should be used as a guideline. Adjust the maintenance routines
according to the amount of daily testing performed in your
laboratory. Always refer to your equipment manufacturer's guide for
their recommendations.
Calibration Protocols:
Equipment always needs to be in proper calibration. Equipment that
is out of calibration can produce false or inaccurate results. Refer
to the maintenance and calibration schedule and your manufacturer's
instructions for the proper calibration protocol and required
frequency.
Options for Calibrating Pipettes:
- Perform the gravimetric pipette calibration procedure†
- Use a commercial automated calibration system like the PCS®
produced by **Artel, Inc.‡
- Send the pipette to the manufacturer, see your owner's manual
for instructions
- Send the pipette to a pipette calibration service
Sending pipettes out for service is beneficial when repair or
maintenance is necessary, however, this practice provides only a
limited level of quality control.
Operator technique and lab environment are two critical variables
that determine how a pipette will perform when used on your bench
top. A thorough quality control program must include a quantitative
account of these effects. It is beneficial to have a method in place
that allows you to perform regular, routine performance
verifications on your own pipettes. By doing so, you will be able to
track pipettes that are drifting out of tolerance. When this
happens, the failing pipette should be sent out for corrective
maintenance and/or repair by a qualified service before it
compromises your laboratory data and productivity.
Label your pipettes with the calibration date and keep a log for
the calibration and maintenance of all your equipment.
For adjustable volume pipettes, calibrations should be performed
at a minimum of two settings; a low volume and a high volume at
commonly used settings.
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Download the Technical
Seminar Invitation 
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VISIT
US AT THE FOLLOWING EVENTS
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Bangkok, Thailand—March 5–7, 2003
VIV
Asia, Queen Sirikit National Convention Center. Booth CGB031.
Kissimmee, Florida, United States—March 8–11, 2003
The American
Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) at the Hyatt Orlando.
Davis, California, United States—March 9–11, 2003
The 52nd Western
Poultry Disease Conference (WPDC) at the University of
California, Davis.
Stendal, Germany—March 12–14, 2003
The International BHV 1/BVDV-Symposium, at the Landratsamt Stendal
main conference hall. IDEXX will present, Quality Control in IBR
Diagnostics.
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LEARN
MORE
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To learn more about our products and services, innovative
technologies, trusted service and support, and our global offices,
please visit our Web site.
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