Aspergillus fumigatus PCR test for dogs and cats
dog and cat assay data sheet
Aspergillus
fumigatus
Test code:
F0001
-
Ultrasensitive qualitative detection of
Aspergillus fumigatus
fungus by real time polymerase chain reaction. This assay is specific
for Aspergillus fumigatus and does not detect other common
Aspergillus species.
The genus
Aspergillus includes
several related fungi which cause aspergillosis. One that is common in
the environment is Aspergillus
fumigatus. This fungus produces airborne spores which can
spread to a wide area especially during dry windy weather. Spores can
enter and develop in the respiratory system, lungs, eyes, and ears.
“Sick Building Syndrome” is a condition caused by continuous fungal
growth in areas of buildings and ventilation systems. Growth leads to
the release of more spores. This can potentially lead to large scale
respiratory infections and distress associated with aspergillosis.
Symptoms of
aspergillosis are caused by endotoxins produced by the fungus.
Aspergillosis can be fatal, especially in immunodeficient individuals.
Human and many
animal species such as birds, dogs, cats, horses and primates can be
infected with this fungus by inhalation of spores from contaminated
feed, fecal material, and soil. Healthy unstressed animals are
generally resistant to even high levels of spores. However, young and
old animals, those on antibiotics, and those whose immune systems are
suppressed by surgery, reproduction, environmental changes, capture,
or shipping may become infected. Human patients with AIDS, cancer
or other immunosuppressive diseases are often victims of this fungal
infection.
Since many animals
have had prior exposure to this fungus, serological testing is not
useful or reliable. Culture identification is labor intensive and
cultures are frequently contaminated with other fungi. Molecular
detection by PCR can provide quick, sensitive and specific detection
of the fungus in a variety of specimen types (Buess et
al., 2012).
Utilities:
-
Help confirm the disease causing agent
-
Shorten the time required to confirm a clinical
diagnosis of Aspergillus
fumigatus
infection.
-
Help ensure that animal groups are free of this fungus
-
Early prevention of spread of this fungus
-
Minimize human exposure to this fungus
-
Safety monitoring of biological products that derive
from susceptible animals
References:
Buess, M., Cathomas, G., Halter, J., Junker, L., Grendelmeier, P.,
Tamm, M. and Stolz, D. (2012) Aspergillus-PCR in bronchoalveolar
lavage for detection of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in
immunocompromised patients. BMC Infectious Diseases 12: 237-244.
Specimen
requirements:
Throat or respiratory swab, or 0.2
ml water, or fungal culture, or 0.2 ml fresh, frozen or fixed tissue,
or environmental surface swab.
Contact Zoologix if advice is needed to determine an appropriate specimen type for a specific diagnostic application. For specimen types not listed here, please contact Zoologix to confirm specimen acceptability and shipping instructions.
For all specimen
types, if there will be a delay in shipping, or during very warm
weather, refrigerate specimens until shipped and ship with a cold pack
unless more stringent shipping requirements are specified. Frozen
specimens should be shipped so as to remain frozen in transit. See
shipping instructions for more
information.
Turnaround
time:
2 business days
Methodology:
Qualitative real time PCR
Normal range:
Nondetected
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