Development of a colloidal gold immunochromatographic test strip for detection of lymphocystis disease virus in fish

Abstract

To develop a gold immunochromatographic test strip for on-site rapid detection of lymphocystis disease virus (LCDV). Monodispersional colloidal gold and gold-labelled anti-LCDV monoclonal antibody (McAb) 2D11 were prepared and characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Gold-labelled probe was used as the detection antibody, and goat anti-mouse IgG at the control line and anti-LCDV McAb 1A8 at the test line of the test strip served as the capture antibody. The positive results could be easily judged by the presence of a red test line with naked eye within 10min. The test strip, in good agreement with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and dot-blotting in sensitivity and LCDV detection, gave a detection limit of 1μgml(-1) of LCDV and was stable for 6months at room temperature and 12months at 4°C. The test strip was specific, simple and convenient for rapid detection of LCDV presenting good stability and reproducibility. This ready-to-use test strip allows on-site rapid detection of LCDV in fish without the requirement of specialized equipments and professional personnel, which could augment the practical application for diagnosis of LCDV even in disadvantage areas.