Could you give a brief update on the progress of the Biorad rapid test?
Approval has been granted to allow the use of the Bio-Rad test in Canada and
the test kits have been ordered. The FSD laboratory will work with Dr.
Balachandran, CFIA, to develop a test protocol that will validate the use of
the test in deer and elk.
What is the waiting period on results?

The actual test is an ELISA test that can be run on the FSD laboratoryıs
automated serology equipment. The test can be run overnight so the waiting
time for the actual test results will not be long. However, there is the
process of harvesting the brain, tonsil and retropharyngeal lymph node
tissues, setting up the ELISA test, evaluating and interpreting the test
results, data entry and generation of the reports. At this point it is
difficult to estimate the turn around time as we donıt even have the test
kits here yet. Suffice it to say that the turn around time will be
substantially reduced once the Bio-Rad is validated and approved for use in
Canada. Until the validation and approval is done, turn around time for CWD
test results will not be any shorter than in the recent past as we still
have to run the IHC test for the official test results.

How close are we to having validation on this test making it acceptable for the CFIA Surveillance Program?
We are months to possibly years away. I donıt want to sound discouraging
but the validation will take until fall at least. If the test proves
effective, then the process starts to get regulatory approval to use the
test routinely. As well, we need to sort out whether or not our trading
partners will accept the Bio-Rad test results, use on which cervids, or
still demand the IHC. We are concerned these later two issues may take more
time than the validation phases.

(part 2):
Can you also describe briefly why the lymphoid tissue test is useful for the
deer industry in Canada? Is there an estimated time frame on validation of
this test?



Recent work in the USA has been published in peer-reviewed journals that
show that the CWD prions show up in the tonsils or retropharyngeal lymph
nodes before being detected in the brain in MD and WTD. Again, we need to
make sure that our trading partners will accept this and since our biggest
trade partner is the USA, this will not likely be an issue. The tonsil and
retropharyngeal lymph nodes are relatively easy to obtain and do not
deteriorate as rapidly as brain tissue. Therefore, these lymphoid tissues
are an advantage, especially in situations where the carcass may have
started to deteriorate. Time frame for validating will likely be 3-4
months, depending on our workload.



Dr. Gerald Ollis
Chief Provincial Veterinarian
#915 - O.S. Longman Building
6909-116 Str, Edmonton, Alberta, T6H 4P2
Ph: 780-427-6406 Fx: 780-427-1437
http://www.agric.gov.ab.ca/chiefvet/chiefvet.html