Comparison of three filter paper-based devices for safety and stability of viral sample collection in poultry

General diagnosis of poultry viruses primarily relies on detection of viruses in samples, but many farms are located in remote areas requiring logistic transportation. Filter paper cards are a useful technology that offer an alternative for collecting and preserving samples without hazardous exposure. The goal of this study was to compare three filter papers: the Flinders Technology Associates filter (FTA®) card, dried blood spot (DBS) card and qualitative filter paper (FP) grade 2 to collect poultry samples. In particular, we have used Newcastle disease virus (NDV) to evaluate safety and a Marek's disease virus (MDV) attenuated vaccine (CVI988) to evaluate stability of viral DNA. This experiment was divided into two parts. The first part was to determine the DNA stability and detection limit of CVI988 in samples collected in different paper supports after four storage times (3, 7, 14 and 30 days post spot). The second part was to determine the safety of papers by evaluating the viral inactivation efficacy using NDV as a representative virus. Results showed that all papers could preserve CVI988 DNA at all times, with a detection limit of 0.5 PFU/5 µl for FTA® and DBS cards, and 5 PFU/5 µl for FP. Our results showed that the NDV remained viable and infectious on the DBS card and FP, while no viable virus was detected on the FTA® card, suggesting that the FTA® card was safest to use. Therefore, the use of the DBS card and FP for infectious sample collection should be discouraged and reconsidered. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS The detection limits of the FTA® card, DBS card and FP for CVI988 detection were 0.5, 0.5 and 5 PFU/5 µl, respectively. All three filter papers could preserve viral DNA for at least 30 days of post spot. The DBS card and FP are not suitable for collecting NDV samples, which is one of the major economical threats for the poultry industry worldwide.