Our Activities
Diagnostic
The European Union Reference Laboratory for diseases caused by Capripox viruses offers a range of Capripox diagnostic tests. These include both serological and molecular (virological) diagnostic tests.
More information can be found on the dedicated page: Diagnostic Services
Training
Upon request, the European Union Reference Laboratory for diseases caused by Capripox viruses provides specific training courses on capripox virus laboratory diagnostics and/or clinical diagnosis when animal trials are performed to the staff of the NRLs. The goal of such training is to promote preparedness and timely clinical and laboratory diagnosis of diseases caused by capripox viruses and to assist NRLs with the practical implementation of laboratory diagnostic methods for capripox viruses.
Please contact us if you would like us to organize training courses for you and your team.
Proficiency Testing Scheme
A main activity of the EURL for diseases caused by Capripox viruses is the organization of yearly proficiency testing schemes (PTS). The aim is to assess the diagnostic capabilities of the EU Member State National Reference Laboratories to detect antibodies to capripox viruses in serum from cattle and small ruminants (Serology panel) and/or to detect capripox virus nucleic acid in samples containing material for capripox virus molecular diagnosis (Virology panel). The PTS can also be provided to National Reference Laboratories of non-EU Member State National Reference Laboratories and other interested laboratories.
Each year, invitations are sent to all potential participating laboratories and the panels of samples are provided in the course of May. Participants are asked to analyse the samples using their primary diagnostic assay (typically real-time RT-PCR and ELISA) and to provide for evaluation by June. Results of the PTS are sent in September to the participating laboratories and are discussed during the Annual NRL Workshop (held in October-November).
Please contact us if you are interested in participating in the next PT.
Research
The Exotic- and vector-borne disease of which the EURL Capripox is a part, perform research studies related to the following topics:
- Development and validation of new diagnostic assays tools for the rapid identification of Capripox viruses
- Studies on Capripox virus vaccine efficacy and safety
- Studies on the transmission of Capripox viruses, including indirect contact transmission and vector borne transmission
More information regarding our research programme can be on the dedicated page: Research