Inhibition monitoring in veterinary molecular testing

Many of the sample matrices typically used for veterinary molecular testing contain inhibitory factors that can potentially reduce analytic sensitivity or produce false-negative results by masking the signal produced by the nucleic acid target. Inclusion of internal controls in PCR-based assays is a valuable strategy not only for monitoring for PCR inhibitors, but also for monitoring nucleic acid extraction efficiency, and for identifying technology errors that may interfere with the ability of an assay to detect the intended target. The Laboratory Technology Committee of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians reviewed the different types of internal controls related to monitoring inhibition of PCR-based assays, and provides information here to encourage veterinary diagnostic laboratories to incorporate PCR internal control strategies as a routine quality management component of their molecular testing

First Detection of Avian Lineage H7N2 in Felis catus

In December 2016, influenza A (H7N2) was first detected among cats in the New York City shelter system with subsequent widespread transmission. The sequence of the first clinical isolate, A/feline/New York/16-040082-1/2016(H7N2), and its genetic similarity to the live bird market lineage of H7N2 low-pathogenicity avian influenza are described

First Detection of Avian Lineage H7N2 in Felis catus

In December 2016, influenza A (H7N2) was first detected among cats in the New York City shelter system with subsequent widespread transmission. The sequence of the first clinical isolate, A/feline/New York/16-040082-1/2016(H7N2), and its genetic similarity to the live bird market lineage of H7N2 low-pathogenicity avian influenza are described

Best practices for performance of real-time PCR assays in veterinary diagnostic laboratories

The exquisite sensitivity of in vitro amplification assays such as real-time polymerase chain reaction (rtPCR) requires the establishment of thorough and robust laboratory practices. To this end, an American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD) committee of subject matter experts was convened to develop a set of best practices for performance of nucleic acid amplification assays. Consensus advice for the performance of preanalytical, analytical, and postanalytical steps is presented here, along with a review of supporting literature

Suggested guidelines for validation of real-time PCR assays in veterinary diagnostic laboratories

This consensus document presents the suggested guidelines developed by the Laboratory Technology Committee (LTC) of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD) for development, validation, and modification (methods comparability) of real-time PCR (rtPCR) assays. These suggested guidelines are presented with reference to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) guidelines for validation of nucleic acid detection assays used in veterinary diagnostic laboratories. Additionally, our proposed practices are compared to the guidelines from the Foods Program Regulatory Subdivision of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and from the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology (ASVCP). The LTC suggestions are closely aligned with those from the OIE and comply with version 2021-01 of the AAVLD Requirements for an Accredited Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, although some LTC recommendations are more stringent and extend beyond the AAVLD requirements. LTC suggested guidelines are substantially different than the guidelines recently published by the U.S. FDA for validation and modification of regulated tests used for detection of pathogens in pet food and animal-derived products, such as dairy. Veterinary diagnostic laboratories that perform assays from the FDA Bacteriological Analytical Method (BAM) manual must be aware of the different standard

Avian Influenza A(H7N2) Virus in Human Exposed to Sick Cats, New York, USA, 2016

An outbreak of influenza A(H7N2) virus in cats in a shelter in New York, NY, USA, resulted in zoonotic transmission. Virus isolated from the infected human was closely related to virus isolated from a cat; both were related to low pathogenicity avian influenza A(H7N2) viruses detected in the United States during the early 2000s