Yogyakarta- Avian Influenza (AI) is one of infectious animal diseases which causes huge economic impacts. Many people believe that the source of AI infection to human is poultry, though the infection is not clearly known. Quick and accurate diagnostic method has not been found to detect this virus in the field to prevent the impact to human.
Up to now, there are five laboratory tests which can be used for diagnosing infection by avian influenza virus such as identification test of agent with isolation method and virus identification on sprout chicken eggs, pathogenic test (inter venous pathogenicity index (IVPI) test) on 4 week-chicken, cerologic test to detect antibody in poultry’s blood, antigen detection test using commercial rapid test kit and molecular test to detect RNA.
Recently, Drh. Gesit Tjahyowati, M.Sc, one of researchers in Veterinary Agency of Yogyakarta, succeeded to develop imunohistochemistry test as routine diagnostic test of AI. “This method is very fast, accurate and safe. The test can be applied in eradicating AI,” said Gesit in open doctoral exam at Faculty of Veterinary Medicine UGM, Thursday (27/1).
The alumnus of the Faculty of year 1983 said that imunohistochemistry (IHK) method is a special immunologic coloring method to detect tissue’s constituent (antigen) in situ by using antibody-antigen. “Only for antibody, we need to import it and the price is relatively expensive,” said the wife of Drh. Slamet Riyadi.
Based on Gesit’s research, streptavidin-biotin IHK test can be utilized as optional test method to detect AI virus on poultry samples which have been fixated in formalin. According to Gesit, this test can be used to show the presence of virus antigen in infected tissue as indicator of virus involvement in a disease so it can be used to detect the presence of antigen of microorganism which infects cells. However, the change caused by the microorganism has not been seen macroscopically and microscopically.
Organs which are suggested as chosen organs as samples of AI virus detection for IHK test are organs which show pathological anatomy lesion, particularly brain, kidney, lungs, spleen, liver, pancreas, and heart.
“This test can be applied as routine diagnostic method for AI virus infection at Veterinary Agency of Wates and other similar Veterinary Laboratories,” she said.
Promoter in the exam was Prof. drh. Hastari Wuryastuty, M.Sc, Ph.D, co-promoters were Prof. drh. R. Wasito, M.Sc., Ph.D., and Drh. Sitarina Widyarini, M.P., Ph.D. Meanwhile, examiner team that was led by Prof. Dr. drh. Bambang Sumiarto, M.Sc consisted of Prof.dr. Sofia Mubarika, Ph.D., Dr. drh Soedarmanto Indarjulianto, Dr. drh. Joko Prastowo, M.Si., and Dr. drh. Asmarani Kusumawati.