Blood Collected on Filter Paper for Wildlife Serology: Evaluating Storage and Temperature Challenges of Field Collections

Abstract

ABSTRACT:Filter-paper (FP) blood sampling can facilitate wildlife research and expand disease surveillance. Previous work indicated that Nobuto FP samples from caribou and reindeer (Rangifer tarandus subspecies) had comparable sensitivity and specificity to serum samples ($80% for both) in competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (cELISAs) for Brucella spp., Neospora caninum, and West Nile virus. The same sensitivity and specificity criteria were met in indirect ELISAs for Brucella spp., bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BHV-1), parainfluenza virus type 3 (PI-3), and bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), with adjusted FP thresholds used for PI-3 and BRSV. Comparable sensitivity and specificity values to serum were also observed for FP in virus neutralization (VN) assays for bovine viral diarrhea virus types I and II; however, reduced sensitivity is a potential limitation of FP samples in protocols that require undiluted serum (i.e., VN and N. caninum cELISA). We evaluated the performance of FP samples from reindeer and caribou in these nine assays after simulating potential challenges of high-latitude field collections: 1) different durations of storage and 2) different processing/storage regimes involving freezing or drying. Sample pairs (serum and FP) were collected from reindeer and caribou populations in 2007-10 and were tested in duplicate. Comparable performance to serum was defined as sensitivity and specificity $80%. In the storage experiments, FP performance was determined after 2 mo of storage dry at room temperature, and after two longer periods (variable depending on assay; up to 2 yr). After 1 yr, compared to frozen serum stored for the same period, sensitivity was $88% for all but two assays (68% BHV-1; 75% PI-3), and specificity remained .90%. A limited trial evaluated the effect of freezing FP samples as opposed to drying them for storage. There were no observed detrimental effects of freezing on FP sample performance, but rigorous investigation is warranted.

Evaluation of Trapper-Collected Nobuto Filter-Paper Blood Samples for Distemper and Parvovirus Antibody Detection in Coyotes (Canis latrans) and Raccoons (Procyon lotor)

“…However, we recommend not only increasing sample sizes in future work, but also to clearly instruct trappers to collect quality samples. Our recommendations are consistent with other studies utilizing hunter-or trapper-collected FP strip samples (Curry et al 2014b). If the goal in future surveillance is to identify all exposed animals, studies should increase sample sizes, provide better control over sample collection and laboratory procedures, and consider evaluating FP strip results using a more conservative titer, perhaps 1:100, to define exposure.…”

Xenosurveillance: A Novel Mosquito-Based Approach for Examining the Human-Pathogen Landscape

“…Aside from sample acquisition, xenosurveillance also offers benefits when processing samples. For instance, this approach offers increased portability because very few tools/ reagents are required and FTA cards eliminate the need for a cold-chain [15][16][17]. Moreover, the chemical properties associated with FTA cards completely inactivates viruses as has been previously demonstrated for two divergent enveloped RNA viruses, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (Arteriviridae) and Newcastle disease virus (Paramyxoviridae) [37,38], thereby increasing the safety of handling and simplifying international shipping.…”

“…gambiae mosquitoes. To make this approach more tractable in remote tropical regions, we preserved the bloodmeals onto Flinders Technology Associates (FTA) filter paper cards for subsequent nucleic acid detection [15][16][17]. Finally, we collected An.…”

Gray Wolf Exposure to Emerging Vector-Borne Diseases in Wisconsin with Comparison to Domestic Dogs and Humans

“…We also note the potential for antibody sensitivity to decline with longer storage of both frozen serum and Nobuto strips [53]. We were unable to formally assess potential degradation in our study; however, as part of the SNAP test validation experiment (S1 Text), we obtained similar results for B .…”