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 Zoologix
equine testing
Why use
PCR to detect infectious diseases of horses?
Molecular diagnostic testing using PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)
has revolutionized the way veterinarians, researchers, zoos
and animal care facilities maintain 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 valuable populations of horses and
other animals.
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.
- Animals 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.
About Zoologix
Zoologix serves veterinarians, researchers, zoos and animal
care facilities with molecular diagnostic testing for
infectious diseases that affect horses and other domestic
and wildlife species. 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 animal populations and obtaining
critical experimental data for basic research, longitudinal
studies and preclinical trials.
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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