2nd Meeting of the Panel on Diagnostics in Virology and Phytoplasmology

Paris, 2013-03-19/20


This was the second meeting of the Panel on Diagnostics in Virology and Phytoplasmology which was formed following the reorganization of the Diagnostics Panels. Altogether, 16 Diagnostic Protocols on viruses and phytoplasmas have now been approved and published. A formalized procedure for annual review of the existing protocols is now in place. This short report highlights the main conclusions of the Panel.

 

 

Horizontal Standards for diagnostics

Preparation of new standards

A Standard on ELISA tests for viruses is in preparation. An email consultation of the Panel will be organized so that Country Consultation can be organized before the next meeting of the Panel.The Panel decided that the following horizontal standards should be prepared for the next meeting of the Panel:

  • generic Standard on the detection of pospiviroids
  • Standard on Immunosorbant Electron Microscopy.

 

Depending on the progress made with the draft IPPC Standard on Phytoplasmas, a generic Standard for the detection of phytoplasmas may also be prepared.

 

Preparation of the revision PM 7/98

Specific requirements for laboratories preparing accreditation for a plant pest diagnostic activity
PM 7/98 was adopted in 2009 and it was agreed that as accreditation in plant pest diagnostics was a new and developing area, a revision of the standard should be initiated in 2011 based on experience following its use in laboratories until this date. A survey was sent to all NPPOs, all members of diagnostic Panels and all laboratories in the Database on diagnostic expertise. Of the 51 respondents the feedback was generally positive. The Panel was informed that a small expert working group (EWG) formed of members of the Panel on Diagnostics and Quality Assurance the results prepared a revision of PM 7/98 which will be circulated to all Diagnostic Panels.

 

Pest specific protocols

The new protocol on Tomato infectious chlorosis virus and Tomato chlorosis virus was finalized during the meeting and was considered to be ready to be presented for final approval.

 

A new protocol on Andean potato latent virus and Andean potato mild mosaic virus (APMMV) will be prepared for the next meeting.

 

The Panel reviewed the existing Diagnostic Protocols to identify the need for revision:

  • Plum pox virus PM 7/32, the EPPO Diagnostic Protocol should be aligned with the IPPC Protocol adopted in March 2012.
  • Potato spindle tuber viroid PM 7/33, an IPPC protocol is in preparation and is expected to be sent for Country Consultation in 2013. The revision of the EPPO diagnostic Protocol should be prepared on the basis of the IPPC Diagnostic Protocol and should be initiated when the first draft of the generic Standard on the detection of Pospiviroids is ready.
  • Beet necrotic yellow vein virus PM 7/30, a revision should be prepared for the next meeting (addition of a real-time PCR test and addition of validation data for the current tests).
  • Grapevine flavescence dorée phytoplasma PM 7/79, a revision of this protocol should be prepared in January 2014 when the results of the test performance study performed in the framework of the EUPHRESCO project GRAFDEPI are available.
  • Tomato spotted wilt virus, Impatiens necrotic spot virus and Watermelon silver mottle virus PM 7/34, a revised version should be prepared to be reviewed at the next meeting of the Panel.
  • Tomato yellow leaf curl virus and Tomato mottle virus PM 7/50. The Panel agreed that the revision of this protocol was not a top priority and a Protocol on these viruses is on the work programme of the IPPC Technical Panel on Diagnostic Protocols. Further action will be decided when information on the IPPC Protocol preparation time-frame is obtained.
  • Chrysanthemum stunt viroid PM 7/6. The revision of the EPPO diagnostic protocols on CSVd will be initiated after the first draft of the generic standard is ready.
  • Tomato ringspot virus PM 7/002 the protocol will be revised for the next Panel meeting.
  • Tobacco ringspot virus (TRSV) a revised version should be prepared for the next meeting.
  • Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) an IPPC protocol is in preparation. The revision of the EPPO diagnostic Protocol should be prepared on the basis of the IPPC Diagnostic Protocol
  • American plum line pattern virus (APLPV) does not need to be revised yet.
  • ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma mali’ and ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma pyri’ a revision is considered necessary but this should be rediscussed at the next meeting.

 

Other topics

The new features in the Database on Diagnostic Expertise were presented. Other general discussions included a discussion on collections. Ms Petter (Chairman) presented information on the requests made to EPPO to host the EUPHRESCO Secretariat and also Q-bank. Mr Nicolaisen gave an overview of the QBOL project, with special focus on the phytoplasma part of the project.

 

The next Panel meeting is scheduled in Rome on 2014-10-14/16.