In this issue:

• Product News—A new diagnostic tool for bovine tuberculosis
• Tech Tip—Careful pipetting helps to ensure accurate ELISA results
• Visit Us—Events around the world
• Learn More—Several products with new packaging and labels are shipping now

A new diagnostic tool for bovine tuberculosis—another step closer to disease control

Despite dedicated eradication efforts, bovine tuberculosis (bTB) still ravages cattle herds and farmers' livelihoods in many countries. Yet testing methods have changed little in several decades. Now you can do more.

The IDEXX M. bovis Ab Test improves bTB detection

Intradermal reaction and standard blood tests alone detect only 70%–80% of bTB-infected cattle.1 Adding the new IDEXX M. bovis Ab Test, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), to bTB control programs can identify infections other tests miss.

IDEXX analyzed samples from 45 known-positive cattle herds from Ireland using the IDEXX M. bovis Ab Test and two standard tests. The IDEXX M. bovis Ab Test detected two positive herds missed by the other tests, including the single intradermal comparative cervical tuberculin (SICCT) test.2

Adding the IDEXX M. bovis Ab Test increased overall testing sensitivity to 91.1%.2

Increase the diagnostic success of bTB control programs

• No cross-reactivity in animals infected with Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP).
• No desensitization in anergic cattle.
• No 60-day waiting period between tests.
• Fast, objective results with good traceability.

High specificity means cost-effective disease surveillance

In endemic areas, the high specificity of the IDEXX M. bovis Ab Test makes it useful as a new surveillance tool. The IDEXX M. bovis Ab Test can be used on other existing sample streams (such as MAP or brucellosis) for easy, cost-effective testing. High specificity also helps to provide a confident, early look at results during periodic testing events.

Deliver faster results with less effort and expense, using the proven ELISA format

• Familiar, reliable ELISA format fits any laboratory, with no special training or equipment needed.
• 2-hour protocol lets you share results with clients quickly, while increasing laboratory throughput.
• Standard serum and plasma samples collected for other surveillance purposes are easy to handle, store and run.

Offer a safe, cost-effective testing method

The IDEXX M. bovis Ab Test requires only a single veterinary visit for a simple blood draw, compared to an intradermal reaction test that requires a follow-up visit to read test results. That means significant cost savings, as well as reduced risk for both animals and handlers.

• Beef cattle are rounded up and worked only once, reducing risk of injury for veterinarians, handlers and calves.
• Dairy cattle are handled only once, minimizing the chance of a decline in milk production.
• Beef and dairy producers spend less on medical expenses; beef producers spend less on chute rental and cleanup costs.
• Busy veterinarians can concentrate on profitable and productive initial farm visits and spend less time on follow-ups.

Use the IDEXX M. bovis Ab Test with confidence

• Validated for cattle on 2,300 samples from nine countries.
• Standardized, objective results; highly consistent across lots.
• Manufactured in ISO-certified facilities.

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

Careful pipetting helps to ensure accurate ELISA results

Good pipetting technique is essential for accurate and reliable ELISA results. Always pipette conjugate and substrate solutions carefully, especially when using the IDEXX Bovine Pregnancy Test and the IDEXX BVD PI X2 Test.

When pipetting the conjugate and substrate, take care to avoid touching the sides or tops of the wells. Any droplets left behind in a well may cause an unintended color reaction that leads to a false result for that well.

For further information on proper pipetting techniques, refer to page 12 of the IDEXX ELISA Technical Guide (PDF).

Events Around the World

Calgary, Alberta—January 19–21
Western Canadian Association of Bovine Practitioners 2012 Conference
www.wcabp.com

Leipzig, Germany—January 19–21
Leipzig Veterinary Congress
www.tieraerztekongress.de/

Atlanta, Georgia—January 24–26
International Poultry Expo
www.ipeweek12.org

Nashville, Tennessee—February 1–4
National Cattlemen's Beef Association Cattle Industry Convention
www.beefusa.org

Sydney, Australia—February 5–10
11th International Colloquium on Paratuberculosis
www.icp2012.com.au

Schleswig, Germany—Febraury 18
2nd Conference of the Veterinary Association of Schleswig-Holstein
www.dvg.net/index.php

Several products with new packaging and labels are shipping now

Over the past few months, IDEXX has announced many improvements to test names, packages, labels, inserts and protocols. The following updated products are now shipping:

• IDEXX Neospora X2 Ab Test
• IDEXX MG Ab Test
• IDEXX MM Ab Test
• IDEXX PM-T Ab Test
• IDEXX PM Ab Test
• IDEXX REO Ab Test
• IDEXX AE Ab Test

For details about the changes to these products, visit idexx.com/testupdates.

More product updates will be coming soon. Check the test updates page often. It will be updated with the new product names, labels, batch numbers, insert changes and more, as updated products are released.

For general information about all the packaging and labeling changes, refer to the April 2011 edition of Animal Health Updates, or contact your IDEXX representative.

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

View the Animal Health Updates newsletter archive.