Due to their sensitivity, specificity and rapid turnaround, molecular techniques provide a highly effective tool for the diagnosis and monitoring of disease in dogs, cats, horses and other animals.
In PCR testing, nucleic acid -- DNA or RNA – is extracted from the specimen. It is then amplified using specific primers for known target pathogen sequences. Amplified sequences are identified with real time detection allowing a semi-quantitative indication of the organism load in the original sample. PCR testing performed at Vetnostics utilises multiplex tandem technology which has increased sensitivity compared to some other PCR methods.
In contrast to serological testing where antibodies to an organism are identified, molecular assays detect the genetic material of the pathogen itself -- a direct indication of presence of the pathogen in the sample. Early infections and infections with very high organism load (including some wet form FIP cases) may have negative serology but positive PCR detection. This is particularly important in infections with rapid progression such as Leptospirosis, where PCR detection may be possible from 3 days post infection, but infected animals may take 2 weeks to seroconvert.