3 Review(s)

In efforts to limit trans boundary movement of pathogens and reduce the economic and socioeconomic impact of disease in aquaculture, there is considerable scope for more effective use of DNA-based methods of pathogen detection. These technologies offer rapid results with potentially high sensitivity and specificity, at relatively low cost. However, few, if any, of the available tests have been assessed appropriately against other diagnostic methods or standardized and validated for specified applications. Implementation of standardized practices that produce reliable, useful and comparable date will require a significant investment in research, training and infrastructure development. The review recommends the development of programmes of managed cooperative research to assist more effective use of DNA-based detection tests, focusing on improving the knowledge base by identification of new and emerging pathogens, relating pathogens in the Asia region to those described elsewhere and defining the extent of genetic variation between related pathogens. The review also recommends the development of a laboratory accreditation programme in order to achieve standardization of sampling methods and test procedures complementary to the activities of the International Office of Epizootics (OIE) in obtaining internationally agreed test standards for molecular diagnostic technologies. Table of Contents Chapter 1: Background  Global aquaculture development, Impact of disease, Role of DNA-based technologies in diagnosis and pathogen detection, Impediments to the use of DNA-based diagnostic technique  Chapter 2: Expert Workshop  Terms of reference, Participants, Workshop process  Chapter 3: Pathogen Focus Group Reports  Shrimp pathogens, Status of research and identification of research needs, Standardization of DNA-based diagnostic tests, Networking and communication, Training and extension, Mollusc pathogens, Finfish pathogens, Diseases requiring applicaition of DNA-based technologies, Evaluation of needs for rapid detection techniques, Status of research, Key constraints to establishment of international standards, Recommendations for research program  Chapter 4: Issue Relating to the Adoption of International Standards for Disease Diagnosis and Health Certification  Chapter 5: Key Outcomes and Recommendations  General comments, Research needs, Training needs, Communication needs, International standardisation  Chapter 6: References  Chapter 7: Contributed Papers and Reviews  Technological constraints to disease prevention and control in aquatic animals, with special reference to pathogen detection by Sharon MC Gladdery, The absolute requirement for predictive validation of non-culture based detection techniques by Maura Hiney, Evaluation of diagnostic tests: the epidemiological approach by Daniel F Fegan, DNA-based diagnostic and detection methods for penaeid shrimp viral diseases by Donald V Lightner, Practical problems with PCR detection in Asia: the importance of standardization by M Shariff, S Soon, K L Lee and L T Tan, Application of polymerase chain reaction for detection of shrimp pathogens in India by Indrani Karunasagar, Viral genetic variation: implications for disease diagnosis and detection of shrimp pathogens by Peter J Walker and Jeff A Cowley, The need for molecular tools in the study of mollusc pathogens by P m Hine, Development and validation of DNA-based diagnostic techniques with particular reference to bivalve mollusc pathogens by Franck C J Berthe, Molecular diagnostics for the oyster pathogens haplosporidium nelsoni (Msx disease) and perkinsus marinus (Dermo disease) in chesapeake bay, Virginia, USA by Eugene M Burreson, Rapid detection and identification of fish pathogens by Alexandra Adams, DNA-based studies on aphanomyces invadans, the fungal pathogen of epizootic ulcerative syndrome (Eus) by James H Lilley and Supranee Chanbut, Importance of standardization and validation of molecular diagnostic techniques for aquatic animal pathogens and diseases for international trade and trans-boundary movement of aquatic animals and animal products by Barry J Hill.