OIE and National Reference Laboratory for Newcastle Disease (ND)

Institute of Diagnostic Virology

Directive 92/66/EEC defines the tasks of the national reference laboratory for ND. As not all avian paramyxoviruses of the serotype 1, but only those of a certain virulence are considered as causative agents of ND, the most important task is the characterization of virus isolates. This is done by serotyping with specific antisera against APMV-1 to APMV-9. By means of monoclonal antibodies lentogenic strains of the La Sota type and pigeon type viruses are detected. If this is not successful, pathogenicity is determined by sequencing of the F gene cleavage site or in animal studies.

Overview of services

Direct contact for federal and state authorities for questions relating to ND control
Antigen or genome detection in test materials
Differentiation and characterization of haemagglutinating virus isolates of poultry and birds
Identification of avian paramyxovirus (APMV)-1/NDV isolates
Characterization of the pathogenicity of the isolates by determination of the intracerebral pathogenicity index and/or sequencing of the F protein cleavage site
Further characterization of APMV-1/NDV by monoclonal antibodies
Serotyping of other avian PMV isolates
Investigation of poultry and bird sera for antibodies against avian PMV of the serotypes 1 to 4 and 6 to 9
Supply of reference virus strains, antigenes and antisera
Control, standardization and improvement of NDV-specific test methods
Participation in EU ring trials
Organization of national ring trials
Storage of virus isolates from confirmed outbreaks and transfer of selected isolatesto the EU reference laboratory
Organization of qualification measures, e.g. for staff of veterinary diagnostic authorities
Participation in working groups and research projects of the European Union
Research on the improvement and standardization of ND diagnostics as well as on questions of pathogenesis or immunization.

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Overview of methods

Virus isolation in embryonated chicken eggs
APMV-1 genome detection by PCR
Characterization of APMV-1 by PCR, sequencing and reactivity by monoclonal antibodies
Determination of the pathogenicity of APMV-1 by sequencing of the F- protein cleavage site and determination of the intracerebral pathogenicity index (ICPI)
Identification of other APMV serotypes by haemagglutination inhibition test with specific antisera
Detection of antibodies against APMV-1 by HI test and ELISA
Detection of antibodies against APMV-2 to APMV-9 by HI test with specific antigenes

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