News

• > 15.06.2022 - NEW* at MEGACOR Diagnostik GmbH: FASTest® ENCEPH
  On-site diagnostics of antibodies against Encephalitozoon cuniculi

  The diagnostic procedure for “suspicion of encephalitozoonosis” repeatedly presents the veterinarian with the challenge of quickly distinguishing between Encephalitozoon cuniculi-related (mainly neurological symptoms: keyword “vestibular syndrome”) and other causes. The serological detection of antibodies against E. cuniculi is considered the most reliable method, since IgG antibody formation begins as early as 14–28 days after infection. In the tried and tested “cassette format”, the FASTest® ENCEPH is a quick method for detecting antibodies against Encephalitozoon cuniculi in (domestic) rabbits. Anticoagulant whole blood, plasma or serum are used as sample material. Only 5 μl (serum, plasma) or 10 μl (anticoagulant whole blood) are required as a sample volume. In a current comparative study by the vetmeduni Vienna, Institute for Parasitology (Head: Prof. Dr. med. vet. Anja Joachim), a sensitivity of 98.5% and a specificity of 100% were achieved compared to the reference test indirect immunofluorescence antibody test. The on-site application of the FASTest® ENCEPH guarantees the veterinarian a quick and reliable clarification of the suspected clinical diagnosis as well as the initiation of a targeted therapy and prophylaxis (zoonosis!).

   

  *Available now

   

  More information:

  Comparison study FASTest® ENCEPH

  FASTest® ENCEPH

  
  
• > 11.04.2022 - Investigating a superspreading event of the 2020-2021 avian influenza epidemic using FASTest® AIV Ag
  FASTest® AIV Ag as a screening test

  The resident veterinarian who was called to the outbreak used the FASTest® AIV Ag for an on-site confirmation of his suspected clinical diagnosis of “bird flu”. This is suitable as a screening test for the quick and easy detection of all AIV type A subtypes.

  Due to the positive FASTest® AIV Ag result, the vet immediately forwarded the result to the district veterinary authority so that they could implement the animal health-related measures to ward off an impending pandemic.

  An outbreak of HPAI, subtype H5N8, was confirmed on day 2 by the National Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza at the Friedrich Loeffler Institute, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.

  	Investigation into a Superspreading Event of the German 2020-2021 Avian Influenza Epidemic_2022 Denzin et al	Downloads

  
  
• > 14.03.2022 - MegaFLUO® BABESIA gibsoni is no longer available until further notice

  

  Some of you may already have noticed that the MegaFLUO® BABESIA gibsoni (Art. 829K10FK1 / 829S10FK1 / 829S50FK1) is no longer available. We have repeatedly tried to establish an alternative manufacturing method, but we cannot achieve the quality we are used to. Therefore, we are removing the product from the program until further notice. As soon as we have a new solution, we will of course inform you about it.

  
  
• > 09.02.2022 - New: MegaELISA® ENCEPHALITOZOON cuniculi
  First veterinary-specific laboratory test

  

  • rapid indirect proof of IgG antibodies against E. cuniculi
  • sample material: serum, plasma
  • highly specific: use of Encephalitozoon cuniculi antigens
  • rabbit-specific conjugate
  • standardized, user-friendly test procedure
  • manual or automated processing

  The MegaELISA® ENCEPHALITOZOON cuniculi was developed in cooperation with the VetMed University Vienna (Institute for Pathology, Dr. Roman Peschke).
  In a first evaluation study, 118 rabbit samples were tested. The MegaELISA® ENCEPHALITOZOON cuniculi showed a sensitivity of 95.9 % and a specificity of 97.8 % compared to IFAT.

   

  More information about the product

  	Flyer MegaELISA® ENCEPHALITOZOON cuniculi	Downloads
  	Instructions for use	Downloads

  
  
• > 02.11.2021 - Product change MegaFLUO® LEISH
  Unification of microscope slides

  Product change MegaFLUO® LEISH:

  For the last few years we supplied our customers with the product MegaFLUO® LEISH with 2 different microscope slides (depending on their wishes – elongated shape or rounded shape of the promastigotes), which we now want to standardise. The slides with the round shapes of the Leishmania are no longer available with immediate effect!

  The complete changeover of our MegaFLUO® LEISH to the new slides will come into effect on January 1st 2022.

  For further information, please contact our technical support.

  
  
• > 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