Dyne Immune's Portable, Low-Cost Rabies Screen Delivers Life-Saving Information To Veterinarians, Animal Workers In Minutes

Main Category: Veterinary
Article Date: 05 Feb 2009 - 0:00 PDT

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Dyne Immune, LLC announced their new, portable Rabies RAPID™ (Rapid Antibody Portable Immunodetection) Screen, which can detect the presence of rabies in an animal saliva sample within 30 minutes, providing vital information much sooner than traditional testing methods. The screen allows veterinarians, animal control officers and other professionals to check for rabies in animals that are still alive, eliminating the long wait (10 to 14 days) and hefty price tag associated with typical post-mortem rabies testing.

"This test can reduce the number of animals destroyed and save doctors and animal control organizations from the costs associated with traditional testing," said Dyne Immune CEO, Dr. V. James DeFranco, MD. "Most importantly, though, it enables them to screen for rabies and get an answer quickly -- and that's essential when it comes to preventing the infection from spreading."

Rabies RAPID™ Screen detects the virus' antigen in saliva and indicates a positive result in the low microgram-per-milliliter range. A simple results window in the screening kit indicates within minutes whether an animal is infected with rabies. The test is packaged in a small, lightweight kit that can be used both in the field and in the lab as a primary screening tool.

The technology was put to the test last month when a local New York Humane Society tried out the kit on a newly admitted stray kitten. Rabies RAPID™ Screen indicated the kitten may have been positive for rabies antigen, and was immediately quarantined. In the meantime, the entire Animal Control staff was alerted to protect themselves and other animals from possible exposure.

Veterinarians, animal control workers and wildlife professionals play a key role in protecting people and their pets from rabid animals. Their work places them at an increased risk for rabies exposure. Pre- and post-exposure rabies vaccines are available, but rabies' relatively long incubation period means that animals and people may unknowingly come into contact with an infected animal. Confirming the presence or absence of the virus quickly could speed the time taken to receive post-exposure vaccination. It could also help animal care workers limit their exposure, and help protect uninfected animals by determining which animals pose a danger.

There is no cure for rabies. Without post-exposure vaccination, the disease is almost always fatal in both animals and humans.

In 2008, the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association reported that cases of rabies in the United States had increased by 4.6% the previous year. Approximately 40,000 Americans are treated for potential exposure each year, usually from bats, raccoons, squirrels and occasionally, cats and dogs.

According to the World Health Organization rabies kills approximately 55,000 people every year around the world.

About Dyne Immune LLC

Dyne Immune is dedicated to the development of technology for the detection and prevention of infectious disease. The company specializes in making the latest in antibody/antigen technology available in affordable, portable and practical tool kits that can make a real and timely difference in the lives of animal welfare workers, human health care professionals and those they serve. Visit http://www.dyneimmune.com to learn more.

Dyne Immune LLC

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