Thermo Fisher Scientific Introduces First-Of-Its-Kind, USDA-Licensed Test For Swine Flu Virus Subtype Detection

WALTHAM, Mass., Sept. 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Pork producers now have access to a comprehensive diagnostic kit designed to test production animals for swine influenza virus (SIV) subtypes with the launch of the VetMAX-Gold SIV Subtyping Kit, the industry's only U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)-approved, real-time PCR test of its kind.

Swine have a unique role in the transmission of influenza viruses among species. They are the only animal raised in abundance that can both be infected by and transmit virus to other pigs. When housed in close contact, the pig can serve as a biological mixing vessel, where influenza genes from any susceptible species can combine and undergo re-assortment within the animal to emerge as a new subtype. The complexity of swine influenza diagnostics requires a robust molecular subtyping solution for reliable differentiation of the swine H and N subtypes, providing information used to monitor and control the disease.

When used in combination with MagMAX Pathogen RNA/DNA Kit and VetMAX-Gold SIV Detection Kit, the VetMAX-Gold SIV Subtyping Kit provides veterinary diagnostic laboratories with a complete screening and subtyping solution that is both rapid and cost-effective. The SIV Detection Kit provides a detection rate of more than 95 percent in positive samples, and can return results in less than a day.

Counted among the top three respiratory health challenges in production animals, SIV is highly contagious, causing fever, lethargy and significant weight loss, resulting in economic loss to producers. Hog production companies have previously estimated the cost of the disease to range from $3.231 to $10.312 per pig as a result of reduced performance or mortality.

Thermo Fisher now offers five USDA-licensed molecular diagnostic tests for customers, more than any other company in the animal health space. Sold under the VetMAX-Gold name, they include BVDV PI Detection Kit, SIV Detection Kit, SIV Subtyping Kit, Trich Detection Kit and the AIV Detection Kit.

"Thermo Fisher is committed to providing the most comprehensive set of solutions to help its customers accurately diagnose the health of their production animals," said Martin Guillet, general manager, Animal Health for Thermo Fisher Scientific. "Our newest USDA-approved subtyping kit enables them a cost-effective and accurate way to monitor their herds for diseases that can threaten their business."

About Thermo Fisher Scientific
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. is the world leader in serving science, with revenues of $17 billion and 50,000 employees in 50 countries. Our mission is to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. We help our customers accelerate life sciences research, solve complex analytical challenges, improve patient diagnostics and increase laboratory productivity. Through our four premier brands Thermo Scientific, Life Technologies, Fisher Scientific and Unity Lab Services we offer an unmatched combination of innovative technologies, purchasing convenience and comprehensive support. For more information, please visit thermofisher.com.

1Dykhuis Haden C., T. Painter, T. Fangman, and D. Holtkamp. Assessing production parameters and economic impact of swine influenza, PRRS and Mycoplasma hyopneimoniae on finishing pigs in a large production system. Proceedings 2012 AASV Annual Meeting. 75-76.
2Donovan, T.S. Influenza isolate selection methodology for timely autogenous vaccine use. Proceedings 2008 Amer Assoc Swine Vet Conf. 557-561.

Media Contact:
Dean Loftis
903-564-6545
dloftis@mccormickcompany.com

 

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SOURCE Thermo Fisher Scientific

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