OIE Laboratory Twinning on Brucellosis
Judy Stack Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA)
United Kingdom
Sevil Erdenlig Pendik Veterinary Control Institute (PVCI)
Turkey
OIE Reference Laboratory for Brucellosis
UK/Turkey Collaboration
Laboratory Twinning pairs:
Parent Laboratory: Animal Health & Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA)
OIE Reference Laboratory and FAO/WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference & Research on Brucellosis
Candidate Laboratory: Pendik Veterinary Control Institute (PVCI)
Established National Reference Laboratory for Brucellosis
Funded by World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) for 3 years.Ensuring compliance with OIE guidelines for accurate diagnosis of disease.
OIE Laboratory Twinning:Aims
• Develop or enhance sustainable relationships• Exchange knowledge/technical guidance• Improve compliance with OIE standards• Promote safe working procedures and facilities• Support to region & eventually for candidates to apply for
‘reference’ status• Extend the OIE network of expertise geographically
Why Brucellosis?
• One of the worlds most significant zoonotic diseases in domestic livestock (and man)
• Spreads easily, despite vaccination, control is difficult & expensive
• Control programme essential – veterinary infrastructure - using validated laboratory tests
• Causes abortion and reduced milk production: economic/human impact
• Easily transmitted to humans causing potentially debilitating illness
• Potential BW agent - reportedly weaponised historically by several states
Hoover, D. L. & Friedlander, A. M. Brucellosis. In Textbook of Military Medicine: Medical Aspects of Chemical and Biological Warfare
Why PVCI?
• Previous collaboration with UK group
• Brucellosis endemic area
• Experienced scientists - required specific training
• Build on existing capacity to work towards OIE stipulations
• Enhancing quality, biosafety & biosecurity
• Benefits for both institutes and ultimately global disease awareness
Project Objectives
Enhance the diagnostic capability of PVCI:
• Training in new methods/oversight of existing methods
• Prepare diagnostic standards according to OIE
• To apply molecular techniques to obtain more details on epidemiological situation
• Initiate a collection of material from infected animals for research and test validation
• Ensure harmonisation of testing between PVCI & AHVLA and introduce proficiency testing
Summary of Outputs
• Database of samples
• Turkish National Standards and reagents complying to OIE Standards in large volumes
• Harmonisation/ring trials/proficiency (for region and within Turkish diagnostic labs)
• Raised international profiles – presentations/meeting attendance
• Improved laboratory facility for safe and secure working at BSL3
• Molecular expertise and confidence
• Application for Turkish Commercial funding
• Future collaboration for both Institutes
Regional Workshop
Post twinning workshop hosted by PVCI:• Representatives from 11 states across Middle East and Central Asia.• Delegates from OIE, WHO, FAO and GP.
Aims:• To promote PVCI as a regional centre of expertise• To better understand regional brucellosis situation• To discuss regional approaches to surveillance
and control
Recommendations included: • PVCI and AHVLA working together to implement regional proficiency
testing (going ahead)• Approaches to surveillance/control should be harmonised across region• Acknowledging success - countries to consider requesting OIE Twinning
Sustainable Project Benefits for both
For Turkey:
• Scientists competent in internationally approved methods
• Accurate diagnosis of a disease of animal and public health concern
• Ability to reach out to organise proficiency testing – audits – ring trials
• Increased engagement with international scientific community
• Joint research opportunities (both)
• Working towards more regional engagement and OIE Reference Laboratory status
For UK:
• Increased awareness of international disease situation
• Access to material for maintenance of competence, test validation and research
• Career development opportunities for AHVLA scientists -communication, decision making, development of expertise etc.
Summary:Relevance to BTWC
• Example of contribution to fulfilling Article X obligations.
– Capacity building for detecting, reporting and responding to infectious disease outbreaks.
– Twinning programmes to develop human resources.
Laboratory Twinning is an excellent platform for strengthening cooperation and assistance between States Parties.
• Such projects also reduce vulnerabilities and strengthen the Convention by:
– Improving mechanisms for detecting, reporting and responding to outbreaks. – Enhancing biosafety and biosecurity.– Strengthening existing international organisations and networks working on
infectious disease.– Promoting transparency and peaceful use of dual-use skills and knowledge.
Further information:
Judy Stack, AHVLA [email protected]
Dr Sevil Erdenlig, [email protected]
OIE Reference Laboratory for Brucellosis