Publisher: Institute for Animal Husbandry, Belgrade-Zemun UDC 619:636 DOI:10.2298/BAH1004155P IMPROVED DIAGNOSTIC STRATEGY FOR FOOT-AND- MOUTH DISEASE IN BULGARIA

Abstract: Foot – and – mouth- disease is severe, highly contagious disease of cloven – hoofed animals that affects large animal livestock species and various wildlife species. Different countries has a different FMD status which require a disparate approach defining the diagnostic and control strategy. A variety of new diagnostic tests and procedures was developed to improve FMD laboratory diagnosis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the contemporary diagnostic tools and the ability of our laboratory to detect FMD virus or viral genome in field samples and cell culture fluids using an Ag ELISA, TaqMan real-time RT-PCR and Virus isolation combined with chromatographic- LFD (lateral flow devises) tests. Key words: Foot – and – mouth – disease, molecular diagnostics, ELISA, Real time RT-PCR, FMD viruses, viral genom