A rapid immunochromatographic test to detect the lily mottle virus

We developed a rapid immunochromatographic strip (ICS) test for lily mottle virus (LMoV). The test is based on a double-antibody sandwich format and employs two distinct anti-LMoV polyclonal antibodies (IgG3 and IgG4). The first antibody, IgG3 was conjugated with colloidal gold, and the second antibody, IgG4 was used as the capture antibody at the test line. The performance of the ICS test was evaluated and the results obtained were compared with a quadruplex RT-PCR assay. When serial dilutions of purified LMoV were tested, the LMoV detection limit of the ICS test was 8.0 × 10−9 mg/mL, which was in complete agreement with the results of quadruplex RT-PCR. Compared with quadruplex RT-PCR, the specificity and sensitivity of ICS were 98.7 and 100%, respectively. There was therefore significant agreement between the results obtained from the two tests (κ = 0.982). The ICS test therefore appears to be broadly applicable, and will be especially useful in the field, as well as in areas without laboratory facilities, to support efforts to detect and control LMoV.