IDEXX Introduces Exclusive New Intestinal Parasite Screening Tests to Protect Pets
New antigen tests offer highest accuracy/specificity available, enabling earlier diagnosis and treatment; IDEXX to add their new antigen tests to all reference laboratory fecal panels at no additional charge
WESTBROOK, Maine, May 4, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. (NASDAQ: IDXX) today announced that hookworm and roundworm antigen tests will be added to all IDEXX Reference Laboratories fecal panels—that already include whipworm antigen—at no additional charge. The new hookworm and roundworm antigen tests offer a higher standard of care in intestinal parasite screening because they can catch the presence of an adult worm early in the infection cycle that current egg detection methods may miss, enabling faster diagnosis and treatment for pets.
Intestinal parasites are common and can cause significant disease in dogs, cats and humans, so accurate and early detection are important. Disease in dogs and cats can be symptomatic or asymptomatic (subclinical). Symptoms may include the development of colitis, intermittent diarrhea, blood in the stool, weight loss, dehydration, anemia and occasionally death. As a result, screening for intestinal parasites has become a well-established part of routine preventive care, with over 40 million screening tests performed in the U.S. each year.1
"The new intestinal parasite screening tests from IDEXX are an exciting breakthrough as the new antigen tests can detect the existence of adult worms earlier in the infection cycle and when there is intermittent shedding of the parasite ova. This provides more accurate and consistent diagnosis, which enables veterinarians to provide the best medical care. Parasitic diseases can make pets and people sick, so routine testing for parasites is fundamental to protecting the health and well-being of pets and families," said Roberta L. Relford, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVIM, DACVP, vice president and chief medical officer of IDEXX Laboratories.
Parasite screening with fecal testing is commonly conducted today in the clinic, using labor-intensive manual sample preparation procedures combined with microscopy. This procedure takes up technicians' valuable time and does not detect all cases of intestinal parasites. The introduction of these new antigen tests from IDEXX Reference Laboratories offers an easier, more accurate solution. In particular, these fecal antigen tests can detect the presence of intestinal parasite infections up to 30 days earlier than current methods, and they can detect these infections in more pets.2
"The development of intestinal parasite antigen tests represents our commitment to helping veterinarians continually advance the standard of medical care for pets and is an example of how diagnostic innovations create and support a successful practice," said Jonathan W. Ayers, president and chief executive officer of IDEXX Laboratories. "We estimate that 80 percent of the 40 million tests conducted today in the U.S. are done manually in-practice. Eliminating manual sample preparation will help veterinarians Strengthen the Bonds™ that matter most in their practices by improving the work flow for staff, providing enhanced value for clients and ensuring the highest standard of care for pets."
For more information about all of the ways you can add the IDEXX Reference Laboratories fecal antigen tests to your intestinal parasite screening, visit idexx.com.
1. Data on file at IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. Westbrook, Maine USA.
2. Elsemore DA, Geng J, Flynn L, et al. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for coproantigen detection of Trichuris vulpis in dogs. J Vet Diagn Invest. 2014; 26(3):404–411.
About IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.
IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. is a leader in pet healthcare innovation, serving practicing veterinarians around the world with a broad range of diagnostic and information technology-based products and services. IDEXX products enhance the ability of veterinarians to provide advanced medical care, improve staff efficiency and to build more economically successful practices. IDEXX is also a worldwide leader in providing livestock and poultry diagnostic tests and tests for the quality and safety of water and milk. Headquartered in Maine, IDEXX Laboratories employs more than 6,000 people and offers products to customers in more than 175 countries.
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SOURCE IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.
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