IDEXX Reference Laboratories Introduces
New Equine Diarrhea RealPCR™ Panel [Trade]

10 results from one sample for a faster, more accurate response to GI disease

WESTBROOK, Maine, December 10, 2009—IDEXX Reference Laboratories introduces the IDEXX Equine Diarrhea RealPCR™ Panel. The new panel gives equine veterinarians 10 results from one sample, improving practitioners’ ability to quickly identify the cause of their patient’s diarrhea and recognize coinfection in order to recommend the most appropriate course of treatment.

“It’s challenging to determine treatment, implement biosecurity protocols and manage the spread of diarrhea if you don’t know the underlying cause,” says Christian Leutenegger, DrVetMed, PhD, FVH, Director of the IDEXX Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory. “By identifying the causative pathogens of 10 equine GI diseases from a single fecal sample, the IDEXX Equine Diarrhea RealPCR Panel helps equine veterinarians mount an effective response early in the disease process, evaluate vaccine protocols and make informed decisions about herd management.”

The IDEXX Equine Diarrhea RealPCR Panel detects equine rotavirus, equine coronavirus, Clostridium difficile toxin A, Clostridium difficile toxin B, Neorickettsia risticii, Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin A, Lawsonia intracellularis, Rhodococcus equi, Cryptosporidium spp. and Salmonella spp.

Dr. Leutenegger worked with Nathan Slovis, DVM, DACVIM, CHT, Director of the McGee Medicine Center at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in Lexington, Kentucky, to test 100 foals using the new panel. According to Dr. Slovis, “We found several foals infected with three pathogens: coronavirus, rotavirus and Cryptosporidium. This study shows that it’s not uncommon for sick foals to have several different organisms affecting them. The role of coinfection has been underappreciated.”

For more information on the IDEXX Equine Diarrhea RealPCR Panel, call 1-800-621-8378, option 4, or visit www.idexx.com/equine.

About IDEXX Reference Laboratories and IDEXX Laboratories
IDEXX Reference Laboratories is a worldwide network of laboratories trusted for providing a comprehensive testing menu and consistently delivering accurate diagnostic results to the veterinary industry. IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., the parent company of IDEXX Reference Laboratories, is a leader in pet and equine 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, to improve staff efficiency and to build more economically successful practices. IDEXX is also a worldwide leader in providing diagnostic tests and information for the production animal industry and tests for the quality and safety of water and milk. Headquartered in Maine, IDEXX Laboratories employs more than 4,700 people and offers products to customers in over 100 countries.

Contact: : Scott Moffitt, Senior Manager of Equine Sales and Marketing, 1-336-834-6505, scott-moffitt@idexx.com