Laboratory of Virology
Head of the Laboratory:
VASHCHYK Yevheniia Volodymyrivna,
Doctor of Veterinary Sciences, Associate Professor Phone (057) 707-20-35
E-mail:yevgeniavashik@gmail.com
Research Directions:
- Study of the epizootic process and biological characteristics of viral pathogens causing pneumonitis and enteritis in cattle (IBR, BVD, PI-3, respiratory syncytial, rotavirus, and coronavirus infections)
- Evaluation of the anti-epizootic effectiveness of domestic and foreign prophylactic agents for the most common viral diseases in cattle
- Development and implementation of modern treatment and specific preventive measures for viral gastrointestinal, genital, and respiratory diseases in cattle
- Contemporary laboratory diagnostics, treatment, and specific prevention of viral and viral-bacterial respiratory, gastrointestinal, and genital diseases in cattle
- Study of the risk of introduction, forecasting, and spread of emerging and transboundary disease agents (Bluetongue, Schmallenberg disease, nodular dermatitis), including using geographic information systems
- Investigation of the distribution and biological features of insect vectors transmitting infectious agents
- Study of biological and molecular-genetic properties of reference and epizootic virus strains and cell cultures during long-term storage in the cryobank of the National Collections of Pathogens and Cell Cultures of the NSC "IECVM"
- Development of cryotechnologies for long-term preservation of animal-derived cell cultures and viruses
- Replenishment of the cryobank of animal cell cultures and viruses for the National Collection of animal cell cultures and the National Collection of pathogens used in biotechnology for immunobiological product production
- Study of the effects of low and ultra-low temperatures on the ultrastructure, viability, and antigenic properties of animal viruses
- Investigation of biological, morphological, and cytogenetic characteristics of cell cultures
- Development of technology for producing polyvalent cell culture vaccine against Marek's disease
- Scientific support for the use of bivalent cell culture Marek's disease vaccine with diluent, developed based on the laboratory
- Development of quality control systems for passaged cell lines and viruses used in experimental and diagnostic work, bioproduct production, and determination of cell culture species identity
- Development of optimal systems for preserving cell cultures and viruses using modern molecular biology and cryobiology methods
- Assessment of cytotoxic properties of various chemical compounds used in science and practice; selection of non-cytotoxic doses and antidotes; preclinical testing of pharmaceutical compounds for cytotoxicity in vitro
- Improvement of biotechnological production systems for veterinary immunobiological products
- Quality control of culture media and blood serum for cultivation of primary and passaged cell cultures
Areas of Expertise: epizootiology, serological and virological diagnostics of viral animal diseases (infectious rhinotracheitis, viral diarrhea, parainfluenza-3, respiratory syncytial, rotavirus, coronavirus infections in cattle, Bluetongue), biotechnology, cryobiology, cytology, virology.
The cell culture collection maintained by the laboratory contains nearly 40 passaged animal-derived cell lines (from cattle, sheep, pigs, and others).
The laboratory offers these cell lines for research and production purposes. Distribution of cell cultures to interested individuals and organizations for research, production, or educational purposes is carried out in accordance with national legislation and international regulations.
The laboratory also provides diagnostic services for Marek’s disease (isolation of pathogens from each of the three virus serotypes in cell cultures). Based on the results of the studies, a qualified report, recommendations, and consulting services are provided.
Internships for postgraduate students and other specialists on methods of cultivating primary and passaged cell cultures are offered.
The virology laboratory performs a full range of diagnostic studies at a modern level in accordance with DSTU ISO/IEC 17025:2006 (ISO/IEC 17025:2005) and provides the industry with comprehensive veterinary-sanitary systems and advisory services for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of infectious bovine rhinotracheitis, viral diarrhea, parainfluenza-3, respiratory syncytial infection, as well as rotavirus and coronavirus infections in cattle.
The laboratory’s scope of accreditation (according to DSTU ISO/IEC 17025:2006 (ISO/IEC 17025:2005)) includes:
1. Examination of biological material (clinical and pathological) from cattle:
- Detection of infectious bovine rhinotracheitis and bovine diarrhea virus antigens in clinical and pathological material using the immunofluorescence reaction (IFR)
- Detection of bovine coronavirus using the hemagglutination inhibition reaction (HAI)
- Detection of bovine rotavirus antigens using the diffusion precipitation reaction (DPR)
2. Examination of blood serum from cattle:
- Detection of specific antibodies to bovine diarrhea, parainfluenza-3, infectious rhinotracheitis, respiratory syncytial infection, and Bluetongue viruses in cattle serum using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
- Detection of specific antibodies to infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) and bovine diarrhea (BVD) viruses in serum by neutralization reaction (NR)
- Detection of specific antibodies to parainfluenza-3, rotavirus, and coronavirus infections in cattle by hemagglutination inhibition reaction (HAI)
- Detection of specific antibodies to bovine rotavirus using the diffusion precipitation reaction (DPR)
| No. | Description of Work | Cost per Sample, UAH |
| 1 | Serological diagnostics of infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) using ELISA | 100.00 |
| 2 | Serological diagnostics of bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) using ELISA | 100.00 |
| 3 | Serological diagnostics of bovine parainfluenza-3 (PI-3) using ELISA | 100.00 |
| 4 | Serological diagnostics of bluetongue in cattle and small ruminants using ELISA | 120.00 |
| 5 | Testing biological material for bovine rotavirus using HI/HA methods | 50.00 |
| 6 | Testing biological material for bovine coronavirus using HI/HA methods | 50.00 |
| 7 | Testing biological material for PI-3 using HI | 50.00 |
| 8 | Testing biological material, including semen, for IBR using IF | 75.00 |
| 9 | Testing biological material, including semen, for BVD using IF | 75.00 |
| 10 | Testing biological material for respiratory syncytial infection (RSI) using IF | 75.00 |
| 11 | Testing biological material for PI-3 using IF | 75.00 |
| 12 | Bacteriological research with full characterization of pathogenicity and antibiotic sensitivity | 600.00 |
On a contractual basis, the laboratory provides scientific and consulting support to farms of various forms of ownership regarding the implementation of specific preventive measures for cattle (including evaluation of the effectiveness of carried-out vaccination), using inactivated viral and viral-bacterial vaccines developed in the laboratory:
- Inactivated vaccine against infectious bovine rhinotracheitis, parainfluenza-3, and bovine viral diarrhea “Ripavac-3”
- Inactivated vaccine against infectious bovine rhinotracheitis, bovine viral diarrhea, parainfluenza-3, and pasteurellosis of cattle
- Inactivated vaccine against bovine rotavirus and coronavirus infections
- Inactivated vaccine against bovine rotavirus and coronavirus infections and Escherichia coli infection in cattle
