CDIA^TM Tomato Mosaic Virus (ToMV) Test Cassette (DTSPV9)

General Description

ToMV is found worldwide and economically damaging in glasshouse and outdoor tomatoes and many other plants. ToMV can cause yellowing and stunting of tomato plants, resulting in loss of stand and reduced yield. In addition, the virus may cause uneven ripening of fruit, further reducing yield. The virus is readily spread by handling and cultural operations. It also contaminates seeds and soil, but no natural vector is known. The best measure to control and reduce infection is to use certified disease-free seed and remove any infected plants, including the roots. Remove Also, discard any plants near those affected.

Principle Of The Test

The development of rapid test strips is based on Lateral Flow Device (LFD) technology using specific antibodies. A LFD format consists of antibody-coated latex beads latex (or colloidal gold) which will bind the specific pathogen antigen absorbed from the plant extract. The agglutination is accumulated at a specific location by the presence of a line of target specific antibody, which immobilises the agglutinated latex whilst allowing the background reagents to be washed away by continued flow along the membrane. The membrane contains a strip of target-specific antibody, test strip and a strip of another antibody that binds to the specific antibody, control strip. Latex beads containing bound antigen are trapped on the test strip leaving a visible line. Surplus latex beads that do not contain antigen are trapped on the control strip showing that the assay has worked. This provides a non-subjective and clear read out of a positive result against a low background.