News

• > 02.07.2020 - No cross reactivity of the FASTest® HW Antigen against Angiostrongylus vasorum

  On behalf of MEGACOR Diagnostik GmbH, the Institute for Parasitology of the Vetsuisse Faculty of the University of Zurich (Switzerland) has conducted an internal study on the cross reactivity of the FASTest® HW Antigen.

  For this purpose, the Institute for Parasitology selected positive (high to very high OD values) sera defined by the Angiostrongylus vasorum antigen ELISA. These were tested with the FASTest® HW Antigen. All positive A. vasorum samples showed consistently negative values in the FASTest® HW Antigen. Thus, the FASTest® HW Antigen shows no cross reactivity to Angiostrongylus vasorum.

  Study

  
  
• > 12.08.2019 - New study for FASTest® LEISH

  Due to the ESCCAP recommendations “Control of Vector-Borne Diseases in Dogs and Cats” (Guideline 05 Third Edition – March 2019), serology is the most commonly used first step for the detection of a specific antibody response in dogs around 12 weeks after initial infection or years after the initial infection to detect a subclinical infection. In addition to the proven laboratory methods (IFAT, ELISA and Western blot with varying sensitivity and specificity values due to different defined cut-off values in different labs) the in-house rapid tests, based on immunochromatographic methods, have reasonable sensitivity values for the initial detection of seropositive dogs.

  

  In a recent study from 2019*, FASTest® LEISH showed a sensitivity of 100 % and a specificity of 99,1 % compared to the reference tests IFAT and ELISA. This indicates the FASTest® LEISH as a reliable and practical in-house rapid test for the detection of LEISH specific antibodies.

  Nevertheless, additional findings based on anamnesis, clinical signs, clinicopathological abnormalities and especially further quantitative detection (IFAT/ELISA: final titre) of antibodies are required for the confirmation of the clinical case and for clinical management post chemotherapy. Finally, it must be noted that in case of a recent vaccination of a non-DIVA vaccinated dog (differentiating infected from vaccinated animals) IFAT, ELISA and rapid test results based on whole antigens may remain positive for up to 6 months.

   

  *Comparison of a qualitative immunochromatographic test with two quantitative serological assays for the detection of antibodies to Leishmania infantum in dogs.

  Sergio Villanueva‑Saz, Asier Basurco, Víctor Martín, Antonio Fernández, Araceli Loste and María Teresa Verde

  
  
• > 17.12.2018 - NEW: MegaLINE® BORRELIA IgG
  Improved LINE immunoassay

  The new MegaLINE® BORRELIA IgG is an improved LINE immunoassay for the detection of antibodies against Borrelia in the serum of dogs and horses:  

  

  - C6 and VlsE band: increased sensitivity + specificity

  - Mix conjugate: parallel analysis of dog and horse samples

  - integrated Cut off and function controls

  - visual or software supported evaluation

   

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