Livro das Actas - advid

Livro Actas
The advantages of ELISA are that many samples can be tested at the same time, it is
relatively inexpensive and it is fast (results can be obtained in about three days). However,
it should only be used as a screening method because it can miss infections if the
pathogen is found in low concentration.
In France, it is ELISA method which is so far the official method for virus diagnostic.
Mercier Novatech is accredited under ISO 17025 since 2007 for the detection of GFLV,
ArMV, GLRaV-1, GLRaV-2 and GLRaV-3. But many other grapevine viruses could be
detected using this technology.
2 - Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
Recently, molecular tests have been developed that directly target the genetic material
(genome) of plant pathogens. Rather than relying on antibody reactions, they specifically
target molecular sequences that are unique to a particular pathogen. One of the most
sensitive molecular methods for pathogen detection currently available is PCR.
PCR involves the selective amplification of a small part of a pathogen’s genome. If the
pathogen is present in a sample, even in a very low amount, the amplification steps allow
its detection. It is this exponential amplification that makes PCR such a sensitive test.
PCR can be used for the detection of pathogens in grapevine because each virus, bacterium,
or fungus has its own unique genetic information. In the past decade, molecular
scientists have identified genetic markers for many of these pathogens. Commercial
PCR testing is currently available for many viral and bacterial pathogens of grapevine.
This is an active area of research and this list is sure to expand.
Mercier Novatech has developed his own diagnostic tools to detect on grapevine by conventional
PCR: Flavescence Dorée and Bois Noir Phytoplasmas, Agrobacterium vitis
(under ISO 17025 accreditation), and Eutypa lata, Diplodia seriata, Botryosphaeria
dothidea, Phaeoacremonium aleophilum, Phaeomoniella chlamydospora, Fomitiporia
punctata, Cylindrocarpon destructans…
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