ZOOLOGIX equine diagnostic testing

Why use PCR to detect diseases of horses?

Molecular diagnostic testing using PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) has revolutionized the way veterinarians, researchers, zoos, animal care facilities and stables maintain animal health and obtain disease data.

The sensitivity, specificity and speed with which pathogens and mutations 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 a specimen, then amplified (after an extra reverse transcription step in the case of RNA) using highly specific primers complementary to known target sequences. Positive and negative controls are run simultaneously; internal controls monitor extraction and PCR efficiency. Each sample is run in duplicate aliquots to check repeatability. Amplification is visualized and recorded using state-of-the-art protocols and instrumentation.

When should samples be collected?
Many pathogens shed intermittently. Therefore, for antemortem testing it is usually best to collect samples when an animal is symptomatic. Often pathogen titers spike early in a bout of symptoms, so ideally samples should be collected early in a bout of symptoms, and when symptoms are worst. It is possible for treatments to reduce symptoms and shedding temporarily but not entirely clear the infection. If treatment was administered, typically you should wait at least a week following treatment, and/or until symptoms return, before collecting a sample for testing.

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.
• Infections can often be identified by PCR very early in a bout of symptoms. Detection is not dependent on elevated antibody levels, which may take days or weeks to occur.
• 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.
• Many different sample types are appropriate for PCR testing - not just serum.  Check our assay datasheets for any test's sample requirements.

About Zoologix
Since 2004, Zoologix has served animal care professionals 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.

As an independent, dedicated diagnostic laboratory not affiliated with any clinic or corporate conglomerate, Zoologix is free of incentives to bias results. 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.

Client samples are stored at our lab for six months to facilitate any followup testing.

Contact information
Zoologix is headquartered in Westlake Village, in southern California. We are located in the Conejo Valley biotech hub, near two major airports (LA International and Burbank), UCLA, USC, CalTech and other regional research centers.

ZOOLOGIX
725 Lakefield Rd, Suite H
Westlake Village  CA  91361
USA
1-818-717-8880
info@zoologix.com

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