A rapid diagnostic kit developed in Bangladesh could help fish farmers detect bacterial pathogens that cause streptococcosis in tilapia and other farmed fish, allowing them to take action earlier against a disease that causes significant mortality and economic losses.
The kit was developed by a research team led by Professor Dr Md Mahbubur Rahman of the Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (IBGE) at Gazipur Agricultural University (GAU).
Streptococcosis is a bacterial disease that affects farmed tilapia, with mortality often increasing during warmer periods.
The team developed a multiplex recombinase polymerase amplification-lateral flow assay (multiplex RPA-LFA) that can detect two important bacterial pathogens simultaneously using a single lateral-flow strip.
The test can produce results in about 40 minutes under laboratory conditions without sophisticated equipment. With additional sample preparation, pathogens in diseased fish tissue can be detected within about 1-1.5 hours.
How the test works
According to the test interpretation:
- Two bands at positions 1 and 2 indicate the presence of Enterococcus faecalis.
- A single band at position 1 indicates a negative result.
- Three bands at positions 1, 2 and 3 indicate the presence of both E. faecalis and Streptococcus agalactiae.
The interpretation of a two-band result at positions 1 and 3 should be verified against the original research findings before publication.
The technology offers a rapid and relatively simple method for early pathogen detection and could help farmers and aquaculture professionals take timely disease-control and biosecurity measures.
The researchers say the innovation could help reduce disease-related losses and support fish production in Bangladesh.
