Pathogen test  The RT-cPCR test detects the genome (RNA) of Borna virus. Sample 5 mL - blood - K3 EDTA tube and/or 5mL - liquor (CSF) - sterile tube Turnaround time 2 to 5 working days   What is Borna virus? Borna disease is caused by one of just a few bornaviruses that occur in a wide variety of warm-blooded animals. This virus attacks the nerve cells within the brain itself causing dangerous levels of inflammation. This virus is frequently lethal once symptoms begin presenting themselves, however, antibodies specific to the virus have frequently been found in the blood of animals who are clinically unaffected. This suggests that some horses and other animals may become infected and remain asymptomatic. Borna disease is a rare viral infection that causes swelling of the nerve cells in the brain, leading to unusual behaviours and seizures, and is frequently fatal. Clinical signs The clinical signs of Borna disease usually occur in horses two to three months after the initial exposure, although there have been reports of incubation periods exceeding six months.  Blindness Chewing motions  Colic symptoms Collapse Head-pressing Hypersensitivity Lack of coordination Leaning  Loss of appetite Muscular tremors Paralysis Rapid and involuntary eye movement Sawhorse stance Severe depression Weakness  Yawning Transmission The virus that causes Borna disease in horses is closely related to the bornavirus that affects birds and is believed to be the cause of  Proventricular Dilatation Disease (PDD) in birds. The transmission methods for these viruses are not well understood, but direct contact with either saliva or nasal secretions are believed to be a common vector. Borna disease emerges more frequently on farms with poor rodent control and hygiene, and instances seem to peak during the months between March to June. Prevention Experimental vaccines for immunopathology have had mixed results. In some cases, the immunopathology of the infection caused some vaccines to exacerbate the disease, but recent evidence suggests the possibility of effective inoculation. Although some preliminary research indicates success with protective vaccination of mice, at this writing, no pre-exposure vaccine has been developed for use with horses. Treatment The antiviral drug amantadine sulfate may be a potential treatment for Borna disease virus. It has been demonstrated in vitro to inhibit wild-type BDV replication and spread of infection. As with prevention of the disease, much research is needed to develop successful treatment strategies because, currently, the fatality rate ranges between 60 to 95 percent for horses, and animals that survive often remain neurologically impaired permanently.

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Our Equine Piroplasmosis qPCR Test provides accurate detection of the genome of Babesia caballi and Theileria equi, the primary agents responsible for Equine Piroplasmosis. This test is ideal for early infection detection and during febrile peaks. Product Overview qPCR Test: Detects the genome of Babesia caballi and Theileria equi, providing highly sensitive detection of piroplasms. Sample Requirements 5 mL of blood - collect blood in K3 EDTA tube for qPCR Turnaround Time Standard Processing: Results in 2 working days after sample arrival at the laboratory. Clients are responsible for organizing and covering the costs of sending the samples to the laboratory. What is Piroplasmosis? Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is a tick-borne disease of horses caused by the intraerythrocytic protozoan parasites Babesia caballi and Theileria equi. These agents are transmitted through a tick vector. Infected animals may remain carriers of these blood parasites for long periods and act as sources of infection for other ticks. The parasites are found in southern Europe, Asia, countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States, Africa, Cuba, South and Central America, and parts of the southern United States. Clinical Signs Incubation period: 12 to 19 days for T. equi and 10 to 30 days for B. caballi. Per-acute form: Rare, with only clinical observation being moribund or dead animals. Acute form: Fever, reduced appetite, elevated respiratory and pulse rates, congestion of mucous membranes, dark red urine, smaller and drier faecal balls, anaemia, and/or icterus. Subacute form: Similar to acute form but with weight loss and intermittent fever. Mucous membranes may vary from pale pink to bright yellow. Chronic form: Mild inappetence, poor performance, weight loss. Documented case fatality rates vary from 10–50%. Transmission Babesia caballi sporozoites invade red blood cells (RBCs), transforming into trophozoites which divide into merozoites, capable of infecting new RBCs. B. caballi can be found in various organs of tick vectors and transmit transovarially. Theileria equi sporozoites, inoculated into horses via a tick bite, invade lymphocytes, develop into schizonts, and release merozoites that invade RBCs. T. equi develop in the salivary glands of the tick vector and are not transmitted transovarially. Transmission is also possible through mechanical vectors contaminated by infected blood. Prevention Sanitary Prophylaxis: Testing and controlling tick exposure, using repellents, acaricides, and regular inspections, controlling and eradicating the tick vector, and quarantining EP-positive animals. Medical Prophylaxis: No current biological products are available. Antiprotozoal agents only temporarily clear T. equi from carriers. How It Works How It Works 🛒 Purchase the Test: Select and buy the test online. 📧 Receive Instructions: After payment confirmation, receive instructions for sample collection. ✨ Sample Collection: Your veterinarian collects the sample. 📄 Download Submission Form: Download the printable submission form here. 📮 Send Samples: Send to our lab by regular mail or express delivery to:Equigerminal LabRua Eduardo Correia, Nº133030-507 Coimbra, PORTUGAL 📄 Receive Results: Get the result certificate by email. If you need assistance, contact us at support@equigerminal.pt. More Info View More Info For more detailed information on the qPCR Test, including sample collection and submission instructions, please visit our website or contact our support team. Visit our detailed diagnosis page for more information. FAQs View FAQs How does the qPCR test work? The qPCR test detects the genome of Babesia caballi and Theileria equi, providing a highly sensitive and specific method for identifying the presence of the pathogens. What types of samples are required for the test? The qPCR test requires 5 mL of blood collected in a K3 EDTA tube. How long does it take to get the test results? The turnaround time for the qPCR test is typically 2 working days from the receipt of the sample in the laboratory. What should be done if a horse tests positive for Piroplasmosis? Horses that test positive should be isolated to prevent the spread of the disease. Follow biosecurity measures and consult with a veterinarian for appropriate treatment and management. How can Piroplasmosis be prevented? Prevention involves testing and controlling tick exposure, using repellents, acaricides, and regular inspections, controlling and eradicating the tick vector, and quarantining EP-positive animals.  

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