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Group G Strep - "Fading Kitten Syndrome" and "Fading Puppy Syndrome"

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Group G Strep - http://www.zoologix.com/dogcat/Datasheets/StrepGroupG.htm Group G Strep - "Fading kitten syndrome" and "Fading puppy syndrome" Test code: B0106 - Ultrasensitive qualitative detection of disease-causing Group G Streptococcus in cats and dogs by real time PCR. This test detects Streptococcus canis, the most common pathogenic cause of fading kitten or puppy syndrome. Streptococcus canis is one species in a group of beta-hemolytic Streptococcus species that are collectively known as "Group G Strep" bacteria. Streptococcus canis is so named because it was first isolated from dogs. These bacteria differ from another group G Streptococcus, Streptococcus dysgalactiae, which is a human-specific group G species that has a different phenotypic chemical composition. S. canisis a commensal bacteria commonly found in cats and dogs, and is important to their skin and mucosal health. It is considered part of the natural flora of the respiratory tract of cats and dogs. S. canis can infect a variety of mammal species besides cats and dogs, such as mink, mice, rabbits, foxes, cattle, and even humans. However, Streptococcus canis can cause opportunistic infections under certain circumstances, such as in young kittens or pups when their immune systems are still weak. Occasional outbreaks of necrotizing S. canis infections have also occurred in adult shelter cats because these cats often have poor immune systems due to stress and other infections. In confirmed outbreaks of S. canis infection, infected cats develop upper respiratory infection that can eventually result in severe sinusitis and/or abscesses. Timely treatment with suitable antibiotics usually can result in speedy recovery. While there are various other causes of fading puppy and kitten syndrome, such as environmental factors and genetic factors, pathogenic infection still represents the major cause of the failure of puppies or kittens to thrive. S. ca- nis infection is often identified in these cases. There are a number of environmental Group G Strep strains which are not pathogenic in dogs and cats and could give false positive results if not excluded from diagnostic tests. The Zoologix B0106 test described here excludes most group G Strep strains not known to be pathogenic in dogs and cats. The identification of S. canis traditionally relied on determination of biochemical properties and on serological grouping using Lancefield antisera. However, these procedures usually take a long time, and clinical specimens collected from these animals are often admixed with other species of Streptococcus bacteria, which may interfere with the culture and biochemical identification of S. canis. However, molecular detection of S. canis by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a widely-accepted alternative to culture and biochemical identification methods, and is highly sensitive and rapid (Hassan et al., 2003). Utilities: • Help confirm the disease causing agent • Shorten the time required to confirm a clinical diagnosis of the bacterial infection • Early prevention of spread of Streptococcus canis among cats and dogs • Minimize human exposure to Streptococcus canis References: Hassan, A.A., Khan, I.U., Abdulmawjood, A. and Lämmler, C. (2003) Development of PCR assays for detection of Streptococcus canis. FEMS Microbiol. Letts. 219: 209-214. Specimen requirement: Vaginal swab (queens and bitches), or prepuce swab (toms and sire dogs), or nasopha- ryngeal swab (kittens and pups) Contact Zoologix if advice is needed to determine an appropriate specimen type for a specific diagnostic application. For specimen types not listed here, please contact Zoologix to confirm specimen acceptability and shipping instruc- tions. For all specimen types, if there will be a delay in shipping, or during very warm weather, refrigerate specimens until shipped and ship with a cold pack unless more stringent shipping requirements are specified. Frozen specimens should be shipped so as to remain frozen in transit. See shipping instructions for more information. Turnaround time: 2 business days Methodology: Qualitative real time PCR Normal range: Nondetected Feline calicivirus (FCV) Test code: S0110 - Ultrasensitive qualitative detection of feline calicivirus by reverse transcription coupled real time polymerase chain reaction S0110 is included on P0020 - feline respiratory panel Feline calicivirus (FCV) infection causes upper respiratory tract (pneumotropic form) infection and occasionally causes joint pain and lameness (rheumatic form). Feline calicivirus is a single-stranded RNA virus with a worldwide distribution, affecting domestic cats and a few wild felid species. FCV is transmitted by ingestion or inhalation of infectious virus present in saliva and excretions from affected cats. The oral route of infection is most important, and direct contact with infected cats or contaminated fomites is the primary method of transmission rather than aerosolized particulates. The virus is highly contagious. Cats of all ages can be af- fected by FCV infection but kittens are more likely to develop symptoms. FCV mainly infects the oral and respiratory tissues. Different strains of FCV may have affinities to different tissues. Some strains have a predilection for the lung, and other strains have been found in the macrophages within the synovial membrane of joints. The virus can also be found in visceral tissues, feces, and occasionally in urine. Infected cats usually develop vesicles and erosions of the tongue, hard palate, and nasal planum. Healing takes more than two weeks. Recovered cats often remain lifelong carriers of FCV and can shed virus continually. PCR testing of throat swabs is extremely helpful for the monitoring of viral shedding. Feline calicivirus carriers are quite common de- spite vaccination. Vaccination protects against full blown disease but does not reliably prevent infection. Utilities: • Help confirm the disease causing agent • Help ensure that feline groups and populations are free of FCV • Early prevention of spread of FCV among a cat population • Minimize human exposure to this virus • Safety monitoring of biological products and vaccines that derive from susceptible animals Specimen requirement: Throat swab or 0.2 ml tracheal wash. Contact Zoologix if advice is needed to determine an appropriate specimen type for a specific diagnostic application. For specimen types not listed here, please contact Zoologix to confirm specimen acceptability and shipping instructions. For all specimen types, if there will be a delay in shipping, or during very warm weather, refrigerate specimens until shipped and ship with a cold pack unless more stringent shipping requirements are specified. Frozen specimens should be shipped so as to remain frozen in transit. See shipping instructions for more information. Turnaround time: 2 business days Methodology: Qualitative reverse transcription coupled real time PCR Normal range: Nondetected .
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