Sensitivity improvement of immunochromatographic strip test for infectious myonecrosis virus detection.

An immunochromatographic strip test with enhanced sensitivity for the detection of infectious myonecrosis virus (IMNV) was developed using three monoclonal antibodies specific to N- and C-termini fragments of IMNV capsid protein. This strip test can detect IMNV with 20 times higher sensitivity than the previous test strip and approximately 50 times lower than that of one-step RT-PCR. The shrimp sample can be heat-treated to augment the release of antigen from the muscular tissue and ensure the sterilization of the sample. Due to its high specificity, field friendly and rapid result, this test strip is suitable for surveillance of IMNV outbreaks and confirmation of IMNV infection in shrimp farming. Statement of relevance The IMNV strip test will help farmers to monitor IMNV infection during shrimp culture. The test kit has sensitivity of approximately 50 times lower than that of one-step RT-PCR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]