Aquatic Animal HealthDiagnostics
The Diagnostics team detects and identifies pathogens of aquatic animals to support the Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI), UK and international commercial contracts, the Cefas experimental facility, and the WOAH Collaborating Centre for Emerging Aquatic Animal Diseases. The team specialises in virological and molecular diagnostics and tissue culture techniques, and works closely with colleagues across Cefas, including Pathology, Bacteriology, Policy Advice and Enforcement, and Aquatic Trade and Technical Advice.
Our diagnostic methods for UK notifiable diseases are independently assessed through participation in interlaboratory proficiency tests (PTs). These PTs are provided by the European Union Reference Laboratory (EURL) for Fish and Crustacean Diseases, the EURL for Mollusc Diseases, and VETQAS (APHA).
In addition to statutory testing, we lead and support research and development (R&D) projects in the development and application of virology and molecular biology tools for listed and emerging aquatic animal pathogens.
Tissue Culture
The tissue culture laboratory is accredited to ISO 17025 for cell culture and media production. The laboratory is managed by our main Tissue Culturist, and four team members are trained in tissue culture techniques to provide a continuous service.
Quality control of our cell lines and media is rigorously managed to ensure cell quality and viral susceptibility. Susceptibility tests applied depend on the cell line, but ISAV, EHNV, VHSV, IHNV, SVCV, IPNV, PFRV, and TeRV are all applied. Cell lines are also routinely screened for mycoplasma to ensure performance is not impaired by undetected contamination.
Our continuous cell lines and media are prepared routinely for the Diagnostic team and research virology. Furthermore, primary cell lines have been generated where continuous cell lines are not available.
Molecular
The molecular laboratory consists of five team members: a Principal Molecular Diagnostician and four staff trained in molecular biology. The molecular laboratory is accredited to ISO 17025 for SVCV, IHNV, VHSV, WSSV, TSV, YHV, KHV, EHNV, Bonamia ostreae and B. exitiosa testing. In addition to the accredited tests, we diagnose a wide range of fish, crustacean and mollusc pathogens, and verify species identity.
Pathogen detection and identification tests are predominantly done as recommended by the WOAH Manual for Aquatic Animals, but we also develop assays within the team for the detection or confirmation of emerging and novel aquatic animal pathogens.
The laboratory has a large molecular suite for automated nucleic acid extraction, nucleic acid amplification, Sanger sequencing, next-generation sequencing (Illumina), long-read sequencing (ONT), and in-situ hybridisation (ISH).
Diagnostic virology
The diagnostic virology laboratory consists of the Diagnostic Virology Lead and three staff trained in virology techniques to provide a continuous service. The diagnostic virology laboratory is accredited to ISO 17025 for SVCV, IHNV, VHSV, ISA, and EHNV screening.
The laboratory plays a key role in isolating viruses and supporting the initial diagnosis of notifiable and emerging viral fish diseases. We isolate viruses and confirm infections using ELISA or IFAT, and work closely with histology to obtain Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) images of emerging or novel pathogens.
Furthermore, diagnostic virology manages a large viral accession collection generated from isolated viral infections. The collection is available for use in virology and molecular research projects.
Principal Scientist, Molecular Diagnostics
Fred Batista - Molecular Biologist