Tianhe TH-ZW108 Portable Real-Time Fluorescent Quantitative PCR System for African Swine Fever (ASF) Screening

Overview

The Tianhe TH-ZW108 is a CE-registered, field-deployable real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR system engineered specifically for rapid, on-site nucleic acid detection of African Swine Fever virus (ASFV) in swine biological samples. It operates on the principle of sequence-specific amplification and fluorescence-based real-time monitoring of DNA targets using TaqMan probe or SYBR Green I intercalating dye chemistry. Designed to meet the stringent operational requirements outlined in China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) Notice No. 282 (2020) and subsequent technical guidelines for ASF diagnostic reagent approval, the TH-ZW108 delivers laboratory-grade performance in a ruggedized portable format. Its architecture supports dual-use deployment—fully functional in fixed biosafety level 2 (BSL-2) laboratories and validated for mobile deployment in farm-side, slaughterhouse, or border inspection settings where ambient temperature fluctuation, power instability, and transport vibration are common constraints.

Key Features

• Compact, lightweight design (2.5 kg) with integrated 7-inch HD capacitive touchscreen—enabling full instrument control without external PC or keyboard.
• High-fidelity thermal control system combining Marlow Peltier modules, German PT1000 precision sensors, and resistive edge-heating compensation—achieving ≤±0.1 °C accuracy and ≤±0.2 °C well-to-well uniformity across the 8-well reaction block.
• Optimized ramp rates: up to 7 °C/s heating and 5 °C/s cooling—reducing typical 40-cycle ASFV detection runs to under 45 minutes.
• Single-channel optical detection optimized for FAM-labeled probes and SYBR Green I—validated against MARA-approved ASFV diagnostic kits (e.g., ASFV p72 gene target, LOD ≤ 10 copies/reaction).
• On-board data management with USB export capability, real-time amplification curve visualization, and automated Ct-based qualitative interpretation per MARA-defined thresholds (Ct ≤ 38 = positive; Ct > 40 = negative; 38 < Ct ≤ 40 = indeterminate).
• Auto-adjusting thermal lid ensures consistent pressure contact across all tube positions—critical for evaporation control during prolonged cycling at high denaturation temperatures (95 °C).

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The TH-ZW108 accepts standard transparent 0.2 mL PCR tubes and 8-tube strips, compatible with all MARA-registered ASFV fluorescent PCR reagent kits—including Tianhe’s own ASFV nucleic acid detection kit (Registration No.兽药证字2021XXXXX), as well as third-party kits compliant with GB/T 38911–2020 (Nucleic Acid Detection Methods for African Swine Fever Virus). The system supports extraction-ready templates from blood, serum, spleen homogenate, oral fluid, and environmental swab eluates. All assay protocols align with MARA Technical Specification for ASFV Diagnostic Reagents (2021 Edition) and support traceability under Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) frameworks. While not FDA 21 CFR Part 11-certified out-of-box, audit trail logs (user login, run parameters, raw fluorescence values, result calls, timestamps) are stored locally and exportable for internal QA review and regulatory submission preparation.

Software & Data Management

The embedded qPCR software provides intuitive workflow navigation—from sample assignment and protocol selection to real-time curve monitoring and post-run analysis. It includes built-in MARA-specified analysis algorithms for threshold setting, baseline correction, and automatic positive/negative classification per official Ct cutoffs. Export formats include CSV (raw RFU values), PDF (summary report with amplification plots and interpretation), and proprietary .THQ files for cross-device comparison. Data integrity is preserved via timestamped user authentication (local account system), immutable run logs, and USB-based encrypted backup. For integration into centralized veterinary surveillance networks, optional API-enabled firmware upgrades support HL7-compatible data transmission to provincial animal disease information systems.

Applications

• Routine ASFV screening in commercial pig farms, breeding units, and backyard holdings—enabling early culling decisions before clinical onset.
• Point-of-slaughter verification testing at abattoirs to prevent contaminated carcasses from entering the food chain.
• Border quarantine and transboundary movement control—deployed at checkpoints for rapid triage of imported live animals or pork products.
• Field epidemiological investigations during outbreak response, supporting cluster mapping and source tracing.
• Validation of ASFV vaccine efficacy trials through longitudinal viral load quantification in challenge studies.
• Cross-reactivity assessment for differential diagnosis of swine hemorrhagic diseases (e.g., Classical Swine Fever, Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome).

FAQ

Is the TH-ZW108 approved for official ASF diagnosis in China?
Yes. When used with MARA-registered ASFV detection kits (including Tianhe’s certified kits), the TH-ZW108 meets the mandatory instrumentation requirements specified in MARA Announcement No. 282 (2020) for official ASF surveillance and reporting.
Can the instrument perform absolute quantification?
No. The TH-ZW108 is configured for qualitative and semi-quantitative (Ct-based) detection only. Absolute quantification requires external standard curves generated on calibrated reference instruments per GB/T 38911–2020 Annex B.
What power supply options are supported in field use?
The unit operates on 100–240 VAC (50/60 Hz) but includes an optional 12 VDC car adapter and external Li-ion power bank interface for off-grid operation up to 3.5 hours per full charge.
Does it support multiplex detection?
Not natively. The single-channel optical configuration supports only one fluorophore per run (FAM/SYBR Green I). Multiplex assays require sequential runs or upgrade to the TH-ZW208 dual-channel variant.
How is calibration verified?
Users perform daily optical and thermal validation using Tianhe-provided QC cartridges (included with each shipment). Full calibration certificates are issued annually by Tianhe’s CNAS-accredited metrology lab upon service contract renewal.