Sarcocystis neurona PCR test for dogs and cats
dog and cat assay data sheet
Sarcocystis neurona
Test code:
X0004 - Ultrasensitive qualitative detection of
Sarcocystis neurona by
real time polymerase chain reaction
Sarcocystis
neurona
is a parasitic protozoan which is the most important cause of a
serious neurological disease of horses called equine protozoal
myeloencephalitis (EPM). S.
neurona also causes EPM-like disease in other mammals
including dogs, cats, mink, raccoons, skunks, sea otters and Pacific harbor
seals ( Dubey et al., 2001). While the life cycle of
S. neurona is not fully
understood, it is known that opossums (Didelphis
virginiana, D.
albiventris) are its definitive hosts.
Recent studies
from Michigan and Florida reported
S. neurona antibodies in
5% of domestic cats based on Western blot analysis (Gillis et al.,
2003; Rossano et al., 2002). This suggests a more widespread problem
in domestic cats than was previously thought.
Serological
detection of this parasite is not very sensitive and not very
specific. Many infected cats are carriers and shed the sporocysts in
their feces. Molecular detection by PCR can offer a rapid, sensitive
and specific method for determining the infection status of an animal.
Utilities:
-
Help confirm the disease causing agent
-
Shorten the time required to confirm a clinical
diagnosis of S. neurona
infection.
-
Help ensure that animal populations are free of
S. neurona
-
Early prevention of spread of this protozoan
-
Minimize human exposure to this protozoan
-
Safety monitoring of biological products that derive
from host animals
References:
Dubey, J.P., Lindsay, D.S., Saville, W.J.A., Reed, S.M., Granstrom,
D.E. and Speer, C.A. (2001) A review of Sarcocystis neurona and equine
protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM). Vet. Parasitol.. 95:89–131
Gillis, K.D., MacKay, R.J., Yowell, C.A., Levy, J.K., Greiner, E.C.,
Dame, J.B., Cheadle, M.A., Hernandez, J. and Massey, E.T. (2003)
Naturally occurring Sarcocystis infection in domestic cats (Felis
catus). Int. J. Parsitol. 33: 877–883. Rossano, M.G., Murphy,
A.J., Vrable, R.A., Vanzo, N.E., Lewis, S.K., Sheline, K.D., Kaneene,
J.B. and Mansfield, L.S. (2002) Cross-sectional study of serum
antibodies against Sarcocystis neurona in cats tested for antibodies
against Toxoplasma gondii. J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc. 221: 511–514.
Specimen
requirements: 0.2 ml whole blood in EDTA (purple top) tube, or 0.2 ml CSF, or 0.2 ml fresh, frozen or fixed CNS tissue.
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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