Scientists at the UK's Institute for Animal Health (IAH) have developed a screening chip that can identify up to 300 viruses. 
Example of an enlarged microarray chip. IAH is using the microarray chip to detect livestock viruses
Photo: Wikipedia
The microarray device could speed up the detection of livestock viruses, say its developers.
"The last major outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome was identified using a microarray chip," said IAH microbiologist Dr Paul Britton. "Fortunately, because of the rapid identification of the virus, it was brought under control and, in spite of its seriousness, caused relatively few deaths. We need a similar way of quickly identifying viruses that attack chickens, cattle, pigs, sheep and other farm animals."
The chip is a microarray with many small regions containing viral genes. These regions react with viruses in the samples being tested, and show up as colored spots on glass slides.
"At the moment, the common methods for detecting viruses rely on some previous knowledge, such as recognizing the clinical signs of a disease," said Dr Britton. "A system that can be used by almost anyone, and that can quickly and accurately be used to identify the particular virus early on, is vital to control these diseases before they spread, and will have a much wider application."
The chip can be used to detect viruses that infect humans and animals, including livestock, birds, fish and insects. In tests, it has successfully identified the infectious bronchitis and foot and mouth disease viruses.
The cost of the chip is quite high because it is a research tool, says Dr Britton. However, the IAH is planning to make some chips available to European members of the Epizone project, a network of organizations which aims to improve research and control epizootic diseases more effectively.
The chip is being presented at the 162nd meeting of the UK's Society for General Microbiology, which takes place in Edinburgh yesterday.
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