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  Discussion on Test
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New Member:
Mise

Posted on Tuesday, Nov 11, 2003 - 1:25 pm:

I was very interested to have read the reply to Giulia by Robert N. Oglesby about the Piroplasmosis tests, etc.

Last night I have sent serum to a US lab for analysis to be able to import a horse to USA (I have been travelling on horse-back since June 2002 from Argentina and I am currently in Guatemala, Central America).
The blood-samples were taken out on Friday, the 7th of November, the serum kept cold AND frozen all the time and hopefully will still be in the same state (chilled at least) when it arrives at the lab on this coming Wednesday (12 November).. it was sent by DHL yesterday evening from Gautemala.

I have doubts though whether the serum would still be "valid" after 5 days.. I was told it will be fine as long as it was kept cold but can anybody please confirm? Also, if it happens that a horse test postive for Piroplasmosis, is it recommended to do another test straight away or should one wait for a while first? Is it advisable also (for the 2nd time around) to use a different Lab due to the different kinds of criteria and methods used in the analysis ?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Nov 12, 2003 - 9:33 am:

Antibodies, which are what are measured in the test described above, are very tough and a week cooled/frozen should be fine. As to what your next step should be will depend on the actual result (negative, questionable, strong positive)and what the requirements of entry where you are at are. If you get a questionable result retesting using a more definitive test would be in order but this test must be acceptable to the officials were you are entering.
DrO
Member:
Mise

Posted on Wednesday, Nov 12, 2003 - 12:30 pm:

Thank you for the quick reply Dr.O.

I have decided to have the different tests (Piroplasmosis, EIA, Dourine, Glanders) done before I fly Mise from Guatemala to the US as they will repeat these again once Mise is under quarentine over there and I would not want any surprises. However, if I understand right, a test can be negative now for Piroplasmosis and when it is done again, it could be positive? Is there anything I can do to avoid this?

I read about the two different kinds of Piroplasmosis... if a horse test positive for Babesia Caballi and given antibiotics, does it mean he/she will be completely cured?

Also, I am not exactly sure as to the meaning of "antibodies"... Would you mind to explain to me in simple terms please?

Thank you.
MDT
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Nov 13, 2003 - 8:00 am:

There is no recomendation for prophylactic use of an antibiotic. The prognosis for treatment of the various forms of Babesia are presented clearly in the article associated with this forum.

For medical terms Miss MDT you can use our dictionary at » Equine Diseases » Cardiovascular, Blood, and Immune System » Piroplasmosis In Horses. Antibodies are the protein molecules that our body manufactures to fight infection.
DrO
Member:
Mise

Posted on Thursday, Nov 13, 2003 - 11:19 am:

Thank you for the advice Dr.O. Things are much clearer to me now.

MDT
Member:
Mise

Posted on Tuesday, Nov 18, 2003 - 10:26 am:

Dear Dr O,

Can you please tell me what a "bacterial" test is? This was apparently used when my horses were tested for bebesia caballi and bebesia equi. Are they different from the IFA/SF tests you mentioned during a previous forum?

Thank you
MDT
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Nov 19, 2003 - 6:19 pm:

Any test that tests for bacteria could be called a "bacterial" test: it does not refer to a specific test that I am aware of.
DrO
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