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Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases (INNT

National Reference Laboratory for Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV)

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), a bunyavirus of the genus phlebovirus that only occurs in a single serotype, has only been detected in Africa and on the Arabian Peninsula to date. The virus is transmitted either directly by mosquito bites (mostly Aedes and Culex spp.), or indirectly through contact with infectious material and an infection causes peracute or acute zoonotic diseases. Certain climatic conditions increase the breeding of the vector, resulting in a higher infection rate with the Rift Valley fever virus. Typical clinical signs are a hemorrhagic fever and a massive liver damage. Sheep, goats and cattle are especially affected by the disease with a high mortality rate in newborns and high abortion rates in pregnant animals.  Older, nonpregnant animals are also susceptible to an infection, but more resistant to clinical disease. Breeds or strains from non-endemic areas or breeds that are exotic to Africa seem to have a higher susceptibility to an infection with RVFV.  The abortion rate in camels is as high as in cattle, but most infections are clinically inapparent.

Humans can be infected by contact to virus-contaminated material or by mosquito bites. In countries or areas with a relatively small population of animal hosts there is a high probability of a human infection by the vectors. In such areas, the occurrence of RVFV may first be detected in humans. Infections with RVFV have already caused severe disease in laboratory workers with hepatitis, meningitis und fever. A vaccination of laboratory staff is therefore highly recommended.

At the national reference laboratory for Rift Valley fever virus, several diagnostic methods have been established so that any suspect samples can be analysed. These methods include a real-time RT-PCR for the nucleic acid detection. Therefore, one  published protocol for the detection of the L segment (Bird et al., 2007) was established and validated against some available control sera. In parallel, different commercial and in-house ELISA tests have been established which can can be used for the detection of IgM or IgG antibodies in sera of suspect animals.

  • Antigen- and genome detection in sample material
  • Antibody detection
  • Primary contact for federal, state and European authorities regarding Rift Valley fever virus diagnostic and control
  • Characterization of virus isolates
  • Review, standardization and enhancement of diagnostic procedures
  • Participation and organization of ring trials (national and international)
  • Collaboration with national and international working groups and participation on research projects
  • Virus isolation and cultivation in vitro
  • Genome detection by RT-PCR (quantitative)
  • Characterization of virus strains by genome sequencing
  • Quantitative analysis of neutralizing antibodies (serum neutralization assays, plaque reduction assays, surrogate assays)
  • Serological analysis of antibodies by ELISA including differentiation of immunoglobulin classes
  • Immunofluorescence-based detection of antibodies (iIFA)
  • Sample material for establishment and validation of novel diagnostic methods (RT-PCR)