IDEXX Reference Laboratories introduces the IDEXX Comprehensive Equine Respiratory RealPCR™ Panel with the addition of five new pathogens: equine rhinitis A and B viruses, equine herpesvirus types 2 and 5 and equine adenovirus. These are in addition to the tests in the original panel, which included equine herpesvirus types 1 and 4, Streptococcus equi subsp. equi and equine influenza virus. The option to add a test for equine arteritis virus is also available. Equine respiratory disease is one of the most common issues equine veterinarians face. The Comprehensive Equine Respiratory RealPCR Panel provides a convenient, economical way to quickly and accurately test for nine of the most common respiratory pathogens.'We are pleased to offer these tests-the most recent additions to our real-time PCR test menu-in a single panel,' says Christian Leutenegger, head of Molecular Diagnostics at IDEXX. 'With one sample, up to nine respiratory disease pathogens can be detected or ruled out, quickly, accurately and economically, and practitioners can give clients more comprehensive diagnostic information.'

When the original equine respiratory panel launched in 2008, real-time PCR results indicated that, in many cases, more than one pathogen was detected-in certain cases, as many as three were detected. As the new Comprehensive Equine Respiratory RealPCR Panel went through clinical validation, multiple pathogens were again detected in equine respiratory cases. In addition, the equine rhinitis A and B viruses were detected in 4%-20% of the samples tested. With the additional tests, this new panel should allow clinicians better capability to assess and differentiate the likely cause of the disease.