Development of an antigen Enzyme-Lynked AptaSorbent Assay (ELASA) for
the detection of Swine Influenza virus in field samples
Abstract
Influenza viruses are highly variable pathogens that infect a wide range
of mammalian and avian species. According to the internal conserved
proteins (nucleoprotein: NP, and matrix proteins: M), these viruses are
classified into type A, B, C, and D. Influenza A virus in swine is of
significant importance to the industry since it is responsible of
endemic infections that lead to high economic loses derived from poor
weight gain, reproductive disorders, and the role it plays in Porcine
Respiratory Disease Complex (PRDC). To the date, swine influenza virus
(SIV) diagnosis keeps on being based in complex and expensive
technologies such as RT-qPCR. In this study, we aimed to improved actual
tools by the implementation of new bioreceptors molecules; aptamers.
First, three different aptamers have been selected using the recombinant
NP of Influenza A virus expressed in insect cells, as target. Then,
these molecules have been used for the development of an Enzyme-Linked
AptaSorbent Assay (ELASA) in combination with specific monoclonal
antibodies for Influenza A detection. A total of 171 field samples
(nasal swabs) have been evaluated with the newly developed assay
obtaining a 79.7 % and 98.1 % sensitivity and specificity
respectively, using real time RT-PCR as standard assay. These results
suggest that the assay is a promising method that could be used for
Influenza A detection in analysis laboratories facilitating surveillance
labours.