Sri Lankan cassava mosaic virus (SLCMV) is an emerging disease spread across several cassava growing provinces in Thailand. The widespread outbreak is attributed to the use of infected stem. Severe outbreak can destroy as much as 80-100% cassava production.
BIOTEC-NSTDA recently unveiled an immunochromatographic strip test for detecting SLCMV. The test is designed for field use and can give a result within 15 minutes, making it an ideal tool for disease screening and surveillance.
Dr. Channarong Seepiban, BIOTEC Researcher of Monoclonal Antibody Production and Application Research Team revealed that prior to this immunochromatographic strip test, the research team successfully developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of cassava mosaic disease. The assay has a higher sensitivity than commercial ELISA and cheaper than imported reagents. However, ELISA technique requires the test to be performed in a laboratory equipped with scientific equipment and takes 1-2 days to obtain the result.
The rapid strip test offers convenience that ELISA cannot provide. The strip test is simple to use, does not require a trained expert and scientific equipment and therefore can be used in the field. It has the same level of accuracy, specificity and sensitivity as the ELISA technique previously developed.
A workshop to demonstrate the use of this rapid test will be organized, and a number of tests will be distributed to interested organizations to assess its performance in the field.
This SLCMV strip test is among 100 innovations to be displayed at NSTDA Annual Conference 2022 (NAC2022). This year, NAC2022 will be held on a virtual platform from 28-31 March 2022. For further information and registration to attend the event at free of charge, please visit www.nstda.or.th/nac.
