News

• > 10.09.2021 - FIRST APPROVAL of a SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen test for the CAT
  Amtl. Zul.-Nr. FLI-C 089

  

  Individual transmissions of SARS-CoV-2 (group of β-coronaviruses) to cats have currently been detected. Fortunately, transmission from cats to humans has not yet been confirmed.

  In accordance with the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), the risk of transmission from susceptible pets to humans is considered low (source: FLI 04/2020). Until 100 percent clarification, a potential risk of transmission can be assumed. However, in individual cases and if clinical symptoms occur, the animals can be sampled and tested for a SARS-CoV-2 infection in order to gain further information on contagion scenarios (source: SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19: dealing with house - and farm animals: Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (fli.de) - 02/28/2020 short news).

  The FASTest® SARS-CoV-2 Ag (official approval no. FLI-C 089) shows with 100 percent sensitivity and high specificity (90.47%) SARS-CoV-2 antigen from nasal and/or throat secretions. Thanks to this 100% sensitivity, a current SARS-CoV-2 infection can be excluded in the event of a negative test!

  If the test is positive, this must be reported to the responsible authority in Germany (National Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 Infections in Pets at the Friedrich Loeffler Institute, Riems Island). The further measures (usually clarification of a positive test result by RT-PCR) result from the orders of the responsible veterinary office and the local health department.

  	Flyer FASTest® SARS-CoV-2 Ag	Downloads

  
  
• > 06.08.2021 - No cross-reactivity of the FASTest® HW Antigen against D. repens and A. reconditum

  

  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 PCR positive sera for D. repens and A. reconditum. These were tested with the FASTest® HW Antigen. FASTest® HW Antigen showed a cross reaction at 1 of 19 samples with D. repens and at 0 of 5 samples a cross reaction with A. reconditum.

  This is the study.

  
  
• > 11.03.2021 - NEW in the MegaELISA® range: MegaELISA® FIV
  Rapid diagnostic clarification of FIV within 30 minutes

  The MegaELISA® FIV serves to prove antibodies against the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV). This virus causes the Feline acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (in short: Feline AIDS). Prevalences can vary due to keeping conditions (stray cats, day release cats). Due to the more or less asymptomatic initial phase and latent period and the fact that nearly 95% of the FIV infected cats show high FIV antibody levels 4 weeks post infection, the detection of antibodies against FIV plays an important role as routine method of choice for the diagnosis of a potential FIV infection.

  The MegaELISA® FIV is the method of choice in suspected FIV cases, to clarify the FIV status in newcomers and to confirm a positive rapid test.

  As sample material, as usual, serum and plasma of suspected cats can be used.

  This ELISA in the rapid format serves the veterinary laboratory as an important tool for the rapid evaluation of the clinical suspected diagnosis.

  
  
• > 24.11.2020 - New*: FASTest® D-PHYTE Strip
  On-site detection of dermatophyte spp. within 5–30 minutes

  The diagnostic procedure with “suspicion of dermatophytosis” always presents the veterinarian with the challenge to quickly differentiate between dermatophyte-related or other causes. Until now, time-consuming methods such as Wood’s lamp, the creation of a trichogram, the implementation of a culture etc. and their evaluation were the used methods.

  The FASTest® D-PHYTE Strip in the well-established “strip format” is an additional and fast method for direct detection of dermatophyte spp. in pocket pets, pets and farm animals.

  As usual, deep skin scrapings, hair with roots, dandruffs and crusts, claws and feathers are used as sample material.

  This guarantees the veterinarian a quick clarification of the suspected clinical diagnosis and enables the vet to quickly and reliably identify a dermatophytosis and to initiate targeted therapy.

   

  * Available from mid-December 2020

  	Flyer_D-PHYTE-Strip_EN_web	Downloads

  
  
• > 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