New PCR Assay for Pinworm Detection Offered by Charles River
January 11, 2010 – As part of our infectious disease PCR testing portfolio, we now offer a TaqMan® PCR assay to detect two species of pinworm, Syphacia obvelata and Aspiculuris tetraptera. By using PCR technology, we can detect a pinworm infection even in the absence of visible eggs or organisms, versus traditional methods such as direct exams, tape tests or fecal concentration centrifugation (FCC), which rely on visual evidence.
Our PCR assay can detect a pinworm infestation from fecal pellets containing sloughed pinworm cells as well as their eggs. Although a pinworm infection may be active, not all fecal pellets will contain eggs. Some pinworms only shed eggs at some times of day, and not all pinworms will be egg producers; immature pinworms and males do not shed. We recommend adding pinworm PCR to the routine enteric screening of your colonies as well as when active infection is suspected; up to ten fecal pellets can submitted and pooled into one sample.
A pinworm infection can interfere with your research. Since there are rarely clinical signs in most infected animals (even immunodeficient animals), body condition or general health does not generally preclude these animals from use in research. Pinworm infection may have more subtle effects, however, generally affecting the nature of the immune response.
For more information about our new TaqMan® PCR assay for pinworm detection, contact us at 1.877.CRIVER.1 (1.877.274.8371) or askcharlesriver@crl.com.
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