Life Technologies Corporation, a provider of innovative life science solutions, today introduced the first USDA-approved, real-time PCR test to detect a broad range of SIV, a common debilitating condition that causes fever, lethargy, breathing problems and significant weight loss resulting in economic loss to producers.

The Applied Biosystems VetMAX^TM-Gold SIV Detection Kit from Life Technologies provides veterinary diagnostic laboratories around the world with a highly accurate tool to test production swine for SIV strains, including H1N1. The kit is the market's first USDA-licensed, polymerase chain reaction-based (PCR) solution for rapid detection of SIV. Designed to zero in on the pathogen's RNA, it also targets multiple genomic regions to decrease the likelihood of false negatives.

The approval of the VetMAX-Gold SIV Detection Kit is based on the successful completion of the USDA's stringent review process to ensure safety and effectiveness of the real-time PCR test and evaluate production and quality systems compliance at the manufacturing site. Veterinary diagnosticians have historically relied on Life Technologies' molecular reagents and instrumentation to detect and control disease. However, the USDA-validated product now provides them with a federally approved test containing instructions, reagents and controls in a single kit.

Nir Nimrodi, head of Animal Health and Food Safety for Life Technologies, commented: "Life Technologies is committed to providing the most reliable and accurate animal health diagnostics. Our newest kit complements our growing number of federally approved, molecular solutions developed to help test for diseases that threaten food producers' valuable herds and, ultimately, their business."

The VetMAX-Gold SIV Detection Kit is for animal diagnostic use only.

Further Reading

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Find out more information on influenza in pigs by clicking here.

For more information about swine diagnostics, click here or connect to the Thermo Fisher Scientific Swine Resource Center.