In this issue:

• Product News—IDEXX launches new tests for bovine pregnancy, bovine tuberculosis, BVDV and PRRS
• Tech Tip—Helpful hints for running the latest IDEXX tests
• Visit Us—Events around the world
• Learn More—The first products with updated packaging and labels are coming soon

Simple blood test helps veterinarians identify open cows earlier, with greater ease and accuracy

The IDEXX Bovine Pregnancy Test delivers early, accurate pregnancy results to help shorten calving intervals and improve reproductive performance for dairy and beef herds.

The new test detects pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) in serum or EDTA plasma as early as 28 days after breeding and without interference from a previous pregnancy as early as 60 days after calving.

A blood sample takes only minutes to draw, so veterinarians can now easily add a pregnancy test to any farm visit. The test can also be run on blood samples already drawn for other reasons, like BVDV or MAP testing.

Results are returned quickly because the laboratory performing the test can run the assay in under 3 hours.

Early pregnancy detection benefits productivity in multiple ways:

• Improved dairy milk production and revenue from a reduction in the number of days cows are open, estimated to cost up to $5 per day.¹
  
• Better reproductive efficiency and reduced costs—an estimated $291 per head³—through early identification and removal of subfertile cows from a herd.
• Safe detection and confirmation of pregnancies, without risk of disease transmission or physical injury.

What does having an additional testing option mean for laboratories and for veterinarians?

Using the IDEXX Bovine Pregnancy Test, laboratories and veterinarians can now offer beef and dairy producers a broader range of pregnancy testing choices. That translates into more testing opportunities, more efficient milk production for dairy operations, more uniform calving for beef operations and, overall, more profitable operations.

For more information about the IDEXX Bovine Pregnancy Test, visit idexx.com/reproduction.

Two new BVDV tests accurately identify persistent infection in cattle

IDEXX SNAP® BVD Test for veterinarians

IDEXX BVDV PI X2 Test for laboratories

The IDEXX SNAP® BVD Test detects BVDV persistent infection in 20 minutes

Cattle persistently infected with bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) are the primary source of BVDV infection, quickly spreading disease throughout a herd.

The new IDEXX SNAP® BVD Test lets veterinarians detect persistently infected (PI) cattle in just 20 minutes, in a single farm visit.

The fast, handheld SNAP® device lets a veterinarian quickly test all new introductions to the herd, including newborn calves, breeding bulls or newly purchased cattle, to prevent the possible introduction of disease. Producers can use the results to confidently determine whether to quarantine an infected animal or allow an uninfected animal to join the herd.

The consequences of allowing a persistently infected animal to join a herd can be costly. U.S. veterinarians estimate losses from BVDV to be more than $30 per head annually, even after vaccination.1

IDEXX recommends this simple 3-step strategy for BVDV management

1. Determine the herd's BVDV status using the IDEXX BVDV PI X2 Test or IDEXX BVDV Ag/Serum Plus Test at a local laboratory.
2. Test all new introductions to the herd using the IDEXX SNAP BVD Test.
3. Work with your veterinarian to design a vaccination and biosecurity program.

For more information about the IDEXX SNAP BVD Test, please contact your IDEXX representative or visit idexx.com/snapbvd.

Faster, more accurate BVDV PI test helps protect herd health

According to estimates by U.S. veterinarians, bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) costs the cattle and dairy industry more than $30 per head, even after vaccination.1 The only way to control BVDV is by detecting and removing the persistently infected (PI) animals that are the primary source of disease transmission.

In November, U.S. laboratories will be able to offer an improved BVDV PI testing option using the IDEXX BVDV PI X2 Test. The new laboratory-based test is the fastest, most accurate antigen ELISA yet from IDEXX Laboratories. It will replace the popular IDEXX BVDV Ag Test.

The IDEXX BVDV PI X2 Test demonstrates greater than 99.9% agreement with the market-leading BVDV test outside the U.S., the IDEXX BVDV Ag/Serum Plus Test, while offering a shorter protocol (less than 2 hours).1

IDEXX BVDV PI X2 Test combines accuracy with efficiency

• Superb specificity and sensitivity
  
  • Detects difficult BVDV strains, including AU501
  • Reduces risk of false positives, even with challenging breeds
• Less than 2-hour protocol
• USDA-licensed
• Ready-to-use reagents
• Available in 5-plate boxes in 1x12 strip format; compatible with xChek® software
• Detects the presence of BVDV Erns antigen in easy-to-collect ear-notch samples or in serum

Veterinarians and producers benefit from easier sampling, faster results

• Works with a wide range of ear-notch sizes (1 mm–1 cm) or with serum
• Fast turnaround enables timely herd management decisions
• Accuracy ensures confidence in decisions to breed, sell or cull

For more information about the IDEXX BVDV PI X2 Test, please contact your IDEXX representative.

Deliver all PRRS results with confidence—the IDEXX PRRS X3 Ab Test reduces singleton reactors by 90%

Now laboratories can deliver all porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) results, positive as well as negative, quickly and with confidence.

Demonstrating 99.9% specificity, the IDEXX PRRS X3 Ab Test reduces false positives (singleton reactors) by 90%, with no compromise in sensitivity.

Laboratories will retest less often and will experience fewer work-flow bottlenecks when running PRRS tests.

Launched in Europe and Asia in 2009, the IDEXX PRRS X3 Ab Test is now available in the U.S.

Meets all PRRS testing needs

The IDEXX PRRS X3 Ab Test accurately detects both U.S. and European PRRS genotypes, as well as the new Eastern European strain, Lena. Detection starts as early as 8–14 days after exposure.

The new assay can be used to diagnose PRRS infections, determine PRRS prevalence or monitor a herd's PRRS-free status.

New single-well format with the same protocol and cutoffs

With its single-well format, the IDEXX PRRS X3 Ab Test runs up to 92 PRRS samples per plate, for greater efficiency and reduced waste. Yet sample cutoffs and test protocol remain the same as the predecessor test (the IDEXX PRRS 2XR Test), making it simple for laboratories to switch.

A more reliable PRRS diagnostic tool

• 99.9% specificity, 98.8% sensitivity, 90% reduction in singleton reactors
• Early detection at 8–14 days post infection
• Detects both U.S. and European strains, including Lena
• Single-well assay, available in 5-plate boxes in strip format, for use with serum
• Fast, familiar ELISA protocol; results in less than 2 hours
• Compatible with xChek® software
• USDA-licensed

For more information about the IDEXX PRRS X3 Ab Test or for a copy of the validation report, please contact your IDEXX representative or visit idexx.com/prrs.

IDEXX M. bovis Ab Test offers new diagnostic options for bovine tuberculosis

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB), caused by Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis), continues to be an important livestock disease in many countries.

Control and eradication are complicated by the fact that standard tuberculosis tests based on cell-mediated responses (skin and gamma interferon tests) fail to detect up to 20% of truly infected animals.1

The IDEXX M. bovis Ab Test can improve overall detection by finding infections other tests miss

In an IDEXX study of 45 known-positive herds from Ireland, the IDEXX M. bovis Ab Test, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), detected two positive herds missed by standard tests (including the single intradermal comparative cervical tuberculin test.)2

A cost-effective option for control or surveillance

Antibody detection is both easy and affordable, making it an optimal choice for testing in endemic areas, where fast, economical removal of infected animals is essential.

And because the IDEXX M. bovis Ab Test is highly specific, it can function as a valuable new surveillance tool in other regions.

Simple to add to any bTB testing program

The IDEXX M. bovis Ab Test can be used on the same blood samples already gathered for other surveillance programs, such as BVDV, MAP or brucellosis.

• Easy ELISA format requires no special equipment or training
• 2-hour protocol delivers fast results
• Validated for cattle on 2,300 samples from 9 countries
• Standardized, objective results that are highly consistent across lots
• Manufactured in ISO-certified facilities

For more information about the IDEXX M. bovis Ab Test, visit idexx.com/mbovis.

Helpful hints for running the latest tests from IDEXX Livestock and Poultry Diagnostics

As always, consult the product insert for specific information about each test. If you have questions, contact your local IDEXX representative.

IDEXX SNAP® BVD Test

• It is acceptable for a small amount of liquid to remain in the SNAP® sample well.
• When you "snap" the test, be sure to press the activator down firmly until it is flush with the body of the device.

IDEXX BVDV PI X2 Test

• To prevent evaporation in the plate, always use an adhesive plate cover during sample incubation; make sure the cover is tightly sealed.
• Note that the detector solution, which binds to the BVDV antigen on the plate, is orange, while the conjugate, used to develop the final color reaction, is green.

IDEXX M. bovis Ab Test (tuberculosis) (outside U.S. only)

• Dilute the test controls in the same way you dilute the samples.
• Remember that you can run the test on samples that are already in the laboratory for other testing.

IDEXX Bovine Pregnancy Test

• Reagent colors are different from those of other IDEXX tests. The detector is blue, and the conjugate is red.
• For greater efficiency, use a 25–50 µL pipette to deliver the 25 µL of sample diluent.

IDEXX PRRS X3 Ab Test

• Double-well testing is no longer needed, so be sure to set up dilutions for a single-well format.
• An xChek® Software user-defined assay is available for the new PRRS test. Find it on the xChek Software page of idexx.com, under the Resources tab.

Events Around the World

Vienna, Austria—August 31–September 2
DVG meeting
www.vetmeduni.ac.at/oeffentliches-veterinaerwesen

Buenos Aires, Argentina—September 6–9
XXII Congreso Latinoamericano de Avicultura 2011
www.avicultura2011.com

Liège, Belgium—September 7–9
6th European Congress of Bovine Health Management
www.ecbhm2011.be

Vancouver, British Columbia—September 12–13
NALMA (DHIA)
www.nalma.org/Event%20Calendar.html

London, U.K.—September 13–15
AHVLA International Conference 2011
Booth 3
www.vla.defra.gov.uk/news/new_conf_ahvla11.htm

Rennes, France—September 13–16
Space 2011
uk.space.fr

Antalya, Turkey—September 15–17
15th Annual Conference of the European Society for Domestic Animal Reproduction ESDAR 2011
www.esdar2011.org

Saint Paul, Minnesota—September 17–20
2011 Allen D. Leman Swine Conference
www.cvm.umn.edu/vetmedce/events/adl/

Buenos Aires, Argentina—September 21–23
Brucellosis 2011 International Research Conference
www.aam.org.ar/brucellosis2011

St. Louis, Missouri—September 22–24
44th Annual Conference of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners
www.aabp.org/meeting

Hannover, Germany—September 25–28
The 8th International Pestivirus Symposium of the European Society for Veterinary Virology
www.pestivirus2011.de

Burgers Zoo, Arnhem, Netherlands—September 28
VII Anniversary Symposium of the Department of Ruminant Health Care
www.knmvd.nl

Buffalo, New York—September 29–October 5
115th USAHA/54th AAVLD Annual Meeting
www.usaha.org/Meetings/2011AnnualMeeting.aspx

Goiana, Brazil—October 4–7
IX Congreso Brasileiro de Buiatria
www.buiatria.org.br

Klosterbanz, Germany—October 5–7
AVID
www.avid.dvg.net

Leipzig, Germany—October 7–8
International Conference: Prophylaxis of herds and production diseases

‘s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands—October 12–14
Landbouw Vakbeurs 2011
www.landbouwvakbeurs.nl/lbvs

Marseille, France—November 16–18
EBF 2011
www.buiatricsforum.com/ebf2011information.html

Products with new packaging and labels are shipping soon

Over the past few months, IDEXX has announced many improvements to test names, packages, labels, inserts and protocols.

The first group of updated products is being prepared to ship now. Look for the following products coming soon:

Starting in September, you'll be able to find updated product information in one convenient location: idexx.com/testupdates

The page will be updated with new product names, labels, batch numbers, insert changes and more, as the updated products are released.

For more detailed information about packaging and labeling changes, refer to the April 2011 edition of Animal Health Updates at idexx.com/newsletter, or contact your IDEXX representative.

© 2011 IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. All rights reserved.
All ®/TM marks are owned by IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. or its affiliates in the United States and/or other countries.

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