Z-III-3. Laboratory for Serological Diagnostics of Viral Diseases
Besi Roić, PhD, DVM, Laboratory Manager E-mail:
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Laboratory for Serological Diagnostics of Viral Diseases as a part of the Department for Virology of the Croatian Veterinary Institute (CVI) is the central laboratory for the serological diagnostics of major viral diseases in domestic animals and wild game in the Republic of Croatia. The Laboratory conducts the diagnostics of numerous viral diseases by enzyme immunoassays (ELISA), both for detection of antibodies and for detection of virus glycoprotein. Within the framework of the annual Decree on Measures for the Protection of Animals from Infectious and Parasitic Diseases and their Financing issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development, the Laboratory is in charge of serological diagnostics of enzootic bovine leucosis (EBL), infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR), Aujeszky’ disease (AD), caprine arthritis encephalitis virus (CAEV), etc. In addition to the foregoing diseases, the Laboratory also participates in the implementation of the program of health control of domestic animals in compliance with the Croatian Act on Veterinary Services and the Decree on Measures for the Protection of Animals from Infectious and Parasitic Diseases and in diagnostics of infectious diseases of viral aetiology in domestic animals and wild game listed by the International Office for Epizootics (OIE). As regards the diagnostics of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), since 2008 the Laboratory has been participating in inter-laboratory tests organized by WRL/EU Reference Laboratory Institute for Animal Health, Pirbright Laboratory, United Kingdom and has had an active role in annual conferences of national and EU reference laboratories for the foregoing diseases.
In 2009, the Laboratory implemented a quality system according to standard HRN ISO/IEC 17025 and accredited two methods: namely enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) for detection of antibodies for foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) and enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) for detection of antibodies for swine vesicular disease virus (SVDV). Based on Decision issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development – Directorate for Veterinary Services of 1 October 2011, the Laboratory is recognized as the National Reference Laboratory for serological diagnostics of the foregoing diseases. In 2011, the Laboratory planned an extension of the accreditation field with regard to the diagnostics of enzootic bovine leucosis (EBL) and therefore participated in the inter-laboratory testing organized by EU Reference Laboratory – National Laboratory Research Institute Pulawy, Poland. For the purpose of our Application for accreditation as an official laboratory for Aujeszky’s disease, the Laboratory has expanded its field of testing and established an inter-laboratory test organized by OIE Reference Laboratory for Aujeszky’s disease Anses Laboratory Ploufragan, France.
In addition to its daily activities, the Laboratory has been involved in projects conducted by the Ministry of Science, Education and Sports. Its research contributions are reflected in the publication of papers in domestic and international research journals as well as in active participation in domestic and international conferences. Our experts have been regularly cooperating with similar laboratories and institutions from domestic and international scientific research institutions. The Laboratory has been organising training courses and tests for doctors of veterinary medicine from the branch institutes of the Croatian Veterinary Institute. The Laboratory has 5 employees, among which one PhD in Biomedicine and Health, one expert associate and three technical associates.
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