Rosselkhoznadzor's Federal Animal Health Center has developed a test system for detecting antibodies to a new type of coronavirus in animals, including domestic and farm animals.

"In the process of examining blood sera, only specific antibodies produced in the animal's body to the SARS-CoV-2 virus are captured. In case of the presence of antibodies in the examined blood sample, they trigger a color cascade reaction," the Rosselkhoznadzor said.

The test system for detection of antibodies is based on a widespread technology of enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) and is multispecies, i.e., it can be used to analyze blood of all animal species. The technique has been tested on biological material of domestic animals (cats and dogs), farm animals (pigs), fur-bearing animals (ferrets, mink and foxes).

The scientists note that the system is universal in its principle of operation: it can detect antibodies developed both as a result of the coronavirus infection and after vaccination against it. This makes it possible to assess the effectiveness of the vaccine and the need for revaccination.

During development testing, both unvaccinated and vaccinated animals were tested with Carnivac-Cov. Today it is the world's first registered vaccine against covid-19 for animals. Its studies have shown high specificity and sensitivity: in unvaccinated animals the test was negative, while in all vaccinated animals specific antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 virus were detected, the department explained.

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Author: Karina Kamalova