Development of immunodiagnostic field tests for the detection of the mycotoxin, sporidesmin A

Three rapid immunoassays-immunofiltration, immunochromatography and dipstick-were developed for the detection of sporidesmin A, the mycotoxin responsible for 'facial eczema', a disease which causes liver injury and photosensitization of livestock in New Zealand. Each assay format exhibited particular advantages and disadvantages with regard to assay sensitivity, working range and ease of use. The immunofiltration assay proved to be suitable for the detection of sporidesmin A in pasture due to its sensitivity and its potential to be used outside a laboratory environment. Semi-quantitative scores of spiked pasture samples using the immunofiltration assay were in good agreement with the amount of sporidesmin A added to the samples.