ZOOLOGIX avian & livestock diagnostic testing
Why use PCR to detect infectious diseases of birds and
livestock?
Molecular diagnostic testing using PCR (Polymerase Chain
Reaction) has revolutionized the way veterinarians,
researchers, field biologists, zoos, breeders and other animal
care facilities maintain bird and animal health and obtain
disease data.
The sensitivity, specificity and speed
with which pathogens are identified by PCR enable diagnostic,
research and monitoring possibilities unavailable using other
techniques. Molecular techniques represent a dramatically
effective tool for the diagnosis of disease in populations of
birds and livestock.
In PCR
testing, nucleic acid -- DNA or RNA -- is isolated from the
specimen, then amplified (after an extra reverse transcription
step in the case of RNA) using highly specific primers
complementary to known target pathogen sequences. References and
controls are run simultaneously; internal controls monitor
extraction and PCR efficiency. Amplified sequences are
visualized and recorded using state-of-the-art protocols and
instrumentation.
How is molecular, PCR-based
testing complementary to other kinds of testing?
-
Cross-reactivity reduces the specificity of many
serological tests: a positive result can be caused by
organisms other than the target. Molecular assays, on the
other hand, are highly specific because they detect genetic
sequence unique to the target pathogen. Even closely related
pathogen strains can often be distinguished.
-
The influence of some sources of false positives is
reduced in molecular testing, because while other testing
methods detect antibodies to pathogens which may not still
be present, molecular assays detect the genetic material of
the pathogen itself -- a direct indication of presence of
the pathogen in the sample.
-
Latent or early infections can often be detected by PCR
before disease symptoms are apparent. Detection is not
dependent on elevated antibody levels.
-
Hosts with high titres of some viruses can actually
exhibit very low antibody levels as their immune systems are
challenged by an infection. This can result in false
negative diagnoses if antibody testing alone is used.
-
PCR's exquisite sensitivity allows detection of a target
pathogen in a sample even if present in very low titres, and
even from very small sample volumes.
-
Many different sample types are appropriate for PCR
testing - not just serum. Check our
assay datasheets for any test's sample requirements.
About Zoologix
Zoologix serves veterinarians, researchers, zoos, breeders and other
animal care facilities with molecular diagnostic testing for
infectious diseases that affect birds, livestock and other
animals. Other testing facilities perform PCR testing as a
sideline. Because we specialize in PCR assays for infectious
diseases of animals, our lab staff are adept at performing
protocols designed to maintain specimen integrity and maximize
assay specificity and sensitivity. We provide fast turnaround
and competitive pricing in each of our assay categories.
Zoologix is owned and managed by board-certified scientists
and seasoned laboratory managers with extensive experience in
molecular biology, biochemistry, zoology, assay design, quality
assurance and lab operations. Our objective is to provide to the
veterinary and research communities the fastest, highest quality
molecular infectious disease testing available.
Our
technicians and scientists understand the importance of fast,
sensitive, specific test results in maintaining the health of
valuable bird and livestock populations and obtaining critical
experimental data.
Client samples are stored at our lab
for six months to facilitate any followup testing.
Contact information
Zoologix is headquartered in Chatsworth, in southern California.
We are located near two major airports (LA International and
Burbank), UCLA, USC, CalTech and other regional research
centers.
Zoologix
Inc.
9811 Owensmouth
Avenue
Suite 4
Chatsworth CA
91311-3800
USA
Phone:
818-717-8880
Fax:
818-717-8881
Email:
info@zoologix.com
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