INTENDED USE

Qualitative detection of antibodies to Trichinella spp. in serum or plasma collected from swine, for veterinary point-of-care use. It aids in the surveillance and epidemiological screening of trichinellosis (a zoonotic nematode parasitosis) in pig populations. Detectable antibody generally appears several weeks after infection, so the test is primarily an epidemiological and herd-level tool rather than a reliable individual carcass test. Results must be interpreted together with clinical signs, exposure history, and confirmatory methods such as digestion or muscle examination. As an antibody test, a positive result indicates prior exposure rather than necessarily active infection.

PRINCIPLE

The PTS Ab Rapid Test is a lateral-flow immunochromatographic assay based on colloidal gold labeling. The test cassette contains a nitrocellulose membrane with a test (T) line pre-coated with Trichinella excretory/secretory antigen and a control (C) line. When the processed serum or plasma is added to the sample well, it migrates by capillary action. If anti-Trichinella antibodies are present, they bind the gold-conjugated antigen and are captured at the T line, forming a visible colored band. The C line should always appear, confirming the assay ran correctly. Results are read visually by the naked eye within the stated time; no instrument is required.

SPECIMEN

Use fresh porcine serum or plasma collected by venipuncture. Allow whole blood to clot fully before centrifugation (for serum), or collect into an appropriate anticoagulant and centrifuge to separate plasma. Avoid hemolyzed or contaminated samples. Mix gently and test promptly; if delayed, store the sample at 2–8 °C for a short period or freeze for longer storage.

REFERENCES

• https://www.woah.org/fileadmin/Home/eng/Health_standards/tahm/3.01.23_TRICHINELLOSIS.pdf
• https://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publication/?seqNo115=64493