UK. Test de diagnóstico a campo de Loque Americana

1º de octubre de 2013
http://www.vita-europe.com/products/afb-diagnostic-test-kit/


Kit de diagnóstico a campo para obtener inmediatamente un diagnóstico de LA en el apiario. Trabaja como un test de embarazo, reaccionando con los antígenos asociados al patógeno de Paenibacillus larvae. Desarrollado en Gran Bretaña.

AFB Diagnostic Test Kit

The Vita American foulbrood (AFB) Diagnostic Test Kit enables beekeepers and bee inspectors to test for AFB in honeybee larvae and to obtain the results immediately and easily in the apiary.

Where can I buy the AFB Test Kit?
You can buy the American Foul Brood Test kit from your local supplier. Find your country’s distributor here.

It works like a home pregnancy test kit and reacts specifically to antibodies associated with the pathogen Paenibacillus larvae subsp. larvae which causes AFB in honeybees.

The AFB test kit is similar to and complements the EFB Diagnostic Kit (which tests for Melissococcus plutonius, the cause of European  foulbrood (EFB) in honeybees).

The kit performs as well as standard AFB laboratory tests. It has been validated by the National Bee Unit of the Food and Environment Research Agency (FERA), York and at other institutes internationally. It has been developed for Vita by the Foresight Diagnostics section at FERA in York, UK.

How To Use the AFB kit

What’s in the Kit
How to use it
Reading the results
Kit storage and handling
Troubleshooting

Kit Contents

Whole or part samples can be used, but it is recommended that a whole infected larva be used to obtain the best results.

• Extract a larva showing suspicious symptoms with the spatula.
• Unscrew lid from the Extraction Bottle. Use the spatula to deposit sample in the bottle. Replace the lid and shake vigorously for about 20 seconds. BEWARE – the bottle contains buffer and sodium azide.
• Remove a Test Device from foil pack. WARNING Do not touch viewing window.
• Unscrew lid of Extraction Bottle and use the supplied pipette to remove a sample from the bottle. For best results remove the sample immediately after shaking to prevent bacteria from settling out of suspension.
• Hold the Test Device horizontally and gently squeeze two drops onto the sample well of the device.
• Keep device horizontal until extract is absorbed (c 30 seconds) and a blue dye appears in the viewing window.
• Wait until the control line appears (labelled C) and read the result (c1-3 minutes)

Reading the results

• A positive result (two lines show up – both Test and Control, see below) indicates that the target pathogen is present in the test sample, that is that the cell sampled contained infection by American Foulbrood.
• A negative result (Control line shows up only, no Test line) indicates that the AFB pathogen has not been detected in the test sample.

• There is space on the label on the reverse of the device to write details such as sample identification, date and result. Also on the reverse is a batch number for each device. If problems are encountered with any device please quote this batch number when contacting Vita (Europe) Limited.
• Please dispose of your test carefully and help to keep the countryside tidy.

Which is correct – above, below or both?

• Two blue lines (C&T) indicates a positive result, test performed OK.
• One blue line (C only) indicates a negative result, test performed OK.
• Faint blue T line, strong C line indicates a possible positive, test performed OK.
• One blue line (T only) indicates the test has failed
• No lines present indicates the test has failed
• Brown C or T lines indicates the test has failed.

If the test has failed we recommend carrying out another test using a new sample from the same original comb with a new device. Should problems persist please contact us.

Note: As with all diagnostic testing a negative reaction does not necessarily indicate that the target pathogen is absent. A faint or absent line may indicate a low concentration of the pathogen or recent infection. If in doubt repeat with a new device using a fresh sample or repeat in a few days time.

Kit Storage and handling

• Kits can be used only once and are disposable.
• The foil pack should be kept unopened and stored at room temperature (c18-25°C) until required.
• The devices must be kept dry at all times.
• Once the foil pack is opened the shelf life of the devices is not guaranteed, so it should be used as soon as possible after opening.
• The window of the test device should not be touched.
• If the device appears damaged, scratched, or marked in any way please contact us.
• Read all instructions before using test kits.
• CAUTION: This kit contains sodium azide in the extraction buffer, which is toxic. Handle carefully and avoid ingestion and contact with the skin. Sodium azide may form explosive copper or lead azides in plumbing systems. Always dispose of material containing azide by flushing copiously with water.

Troubleshooting

Problem	Cause / Remedy
Sample not mixed	Inefficient extraction due to sample too large or too small. Try fresh sample or shake more vigorously.
No blue dye flow	Add an additional drop, one at a time until flow is achieved.
No control line visible	Too much sample added; test flooded. Repeat with new device and add only two or three drops.
	Flow components exposed to wet or damp. Repeat with new device.
Brown lines (not blue) visible	Brown lines are produced from concentrated sample, and not specific pathogen recognition. Repeat with a new, smaller sample.
Faint lines	Low pathogen concentration low concentration in sample due to sample size too small or sample not shaken long enough or vigorously enough.
Damaged Devices/Bottles	Please contact Vita directly. Please quote batch number for reference.
Lines disappear after a few hours	Degradative enzymes in sample have damaged the antibodies. Read tests up until 30 minutes only, do not read any later.

See also Vita’s European Foul brood  (EFB) diagnostic test kit.