Applied Biosystems: Comprehensive Animal Health Diagnostic Tools

Boost efficiency in animal sample extraction and improve target amplification

Thermo Fisher’s Animal Health technologies, including the VetMAX™-Gold AIV Detection Kit, VetMAX Master Mixes, MagMAX Core Sample Extraction Kits, and QuantStudio 5, are advanced tools for boosting efficiency in animal sample extraction and improve target amplification and identification. - Real Time PCR Diagnostics Kits : These kits detects pathogens with high sensitivity and specificity, allowing quick and reliable results to help control outbreaks. - VetMAX Master Mixes: These are pre-formulated reagents for PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) tests, which amplify DNA, making it easier to identify pathogens in animal samples. (Sentence after this deleted) - MagMAX Core Sample Extraction Kits: These kits efficiently extract DNA and RNA from a variety of animal sample types, enabling accurate downstream applications like PCR. They streamline the sample preparation process, facilitating high-quality nucleic acid recovery. - QuantStudio 5: This is a real-time PCR system that enables precise, quantitative results for pathogen detection in animal samples. It supports high-throughput testing with user-friendly software, making it ideal for veterinary labs.

This technology is validated.

9•9

Scaling readiness: idea maturity 9/9; level of use 9/9

Adults 18 and over: No impact

The poor: No impact

Under 18: No impact

Women: No impact

Farmer climate change readiness: Significant improvement

It ensures rapid disease management, promoting healthier livestock, and enhancing the sustainability of their farming operations.

Problem

Disease Incidence and Spread: Avian influenza, for example, poses a significant threat to poultry populations worldwide. Outbreaks can lead to massive culling of birds to control the spread, resulting in substantial economic losses. In 2015, the avian influenza outbreak in the U.S. led to the culling of over 50 million birds, costing the industry more than USD 3 billion.
Yield Losses: Diseases like avian influenza can drastically reduce poultry production, leading to lower meat and egg yields. This not only affects food supply but also the livelihoods of smallholder farmers who rely on poultry for income.
Inconsistent and Slow Diagnostics: Traditional diagnostic methods can be slow and inconsistent, leading to delays in disease detection and management. Our technologies, such as the QuantStudio 5 real-time PCR system, enable rapid and accurate results, enabling timely interventions.
Sample Processing Challenges: Efficient and reliable extraction of DNA and RNA from animal samples is crucial for accurate diagnostics. The MagMAX Core Sample Extraction Kits streamline this process, facilitating high-quality nucleic acid recovery, which is essential for reliable testing.
Resource Constraints: Many veterinary labs face resource constraints, including limited access to high-quality reagents and testing tools. Our VetMAX Master Mixes offer pre-formulated, ready-to-use reagents that simplify the PCR process, ensuring consistent and accurate results without the need for extensive preparation.

Solution

High Sensitivity and Specificity (Real time PCR Diagnostic Kits eg: Avian Influenza Kit):

Characteristic: Detects even low levels of avian influenza virus in bird samples.

Impact: Enables early and accurate detection of avian influenza, which is crucial for preventing outbreaks. Early detection can significantly reduce the spread of the virus and associated economic losses. For instance, early intervention can save millions of birds from culling, preserving both food supply and farmer income.

Consistency and Accuracy (VetMAX Master Mixes):

Characteristic: Pre-formulated reagents for PCR tests enable consistent and accurate amplification of DNA.

Impact: Reliable results are essential for accurate testing. Consistent performance of PCR tests helps in reducing false negatives and positives.

Streamlined and Automated Workflow (MagMAX Core Sample Extraction Kits):

Characteristic: Efficiently extracts high-quality DNA and RNA from various animal sample types.

Impact: High-quality nucleic acid extraction is critical for accurate downstream applications like PCR. Efficient sample processing reduces the time and labor required, allowing for quicker diagnostic turnaround times. This efficiency is crucial in outbreak situations where rapid response is needed.

Rapid and Quantitative Results (QuantStudio 5):

Characteristic: Real-time PCR system allows precise, quantitative results for pathogen detection.

Impact: The QuantStudio 5 supports high-throughput testing, making it ideal for veterinary labs that handle large volumes of samples. Rapid and quantitative results enable timely interventions, reducing the spread of diseases and minimizing economic losses. For example, quick identification of infected flocks can help prevent the spread to healthy populations, saving significant resources.

User-Friendly and Resource-Efficient (All Technologies):

Characteristic: Designed for ease of use, with simplified protocols and minimal preparation required.

Impact: User-friendly technologies reduce the need for extensive training and make it easier for labs with limited resources to implement advanced diagnostic tools. This democratization of technology allows even smallholder farmers to benefit from advanced diagnostics, supporting broader adoption and improved overall animal health management.

Key points to design your project

Thermo Fisher’s Animal Health diagnostic technology addresses key challenges in animal disease control and enhances agricultural productivity. By enabling rapid disease detection, it contributes to improved animal health, food security, and sustainable agricultural practices, aligning with global sustainability goals.

To integrate this technology into your national or regional projects, follow these steps:

Assess the quantity needed for your project, considering the technology's cost and availability (Real-Time PCR Diagnostic Kits, VetMAX Master Mixes, MagMAX Core Sample Extraction Kits, and QuantStudio 5 systems).
Factor in delivery costs and potential import duties when planning the project budget.
Invest in training: Develop a training plan for local veterinary staff and lab technicians. Ensure that post-training support is included in the project to maintain efficiency and effectiveness.
Create communication materials (flyers, videos, radio broadcasts, etc.) to raise awareness and ensure proper usage of the technology.
Collaborate with local partners such as agricultural development institutes, veterinary labs, and agro-dealers to ensure effective distribution and implementation.

Cost: $$$ 15 USD per sample

For routine testing

150,000 USD

Installation of a qPCR workflow for extraction to result

Countries with a green colour: Tested & adopted
Countries with a bright green colour: Adopted
Countries with a yellow colour: Tested
Countries with a blue colour: Testing ongoing

Countries where the technology is being tested or has been tested and adopted
Country	Testing ongoing	Tested	Adopted
Kenya	–No ongoing testing	Tested	–Not adopted
Namibia	–No ongoing testing	Tested	–Not adopted
South Africa	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Zimbabwe	–No ongoing testing	Tested	–Not adopted

This technology can be used in the colored agro-ecological zones. Any zones shown in white are not suitable for this technology.

Agro-ecological zones where this technology can be used
AEZ	Subtropic - warm	Subtropic - cool	Tropic - warm	Tropic - cool
Arid
Semiarid
Subhumid
Humid

Source: HarvestChoice/IFPRI 2009

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that are applicable to this technology.

Goal 2: zero hunger

It promotes food security through healthier livestock and better productivity

Goal 3: good health and well-being

It improves animal health and reducing the spread of diseases

Goal 11: sustainable cities and communities

It helps prevent the spread of outbreaks to urban areas. Healthy livestock are essential for providing a reliable food supply to urban populations, contributing to food security in cities and surrounding communities.

Goal 12: responsible production and consumption

It improves the sustainability and efficiency of livestock production, minimizing waste, and ensuring responsible resource.

To use Thermo Fisher’s Animal Health technology suite, follow these steps:

Collect Samples:
- Collect animal samples such as swabs (e.g., GenoTube Livestock Swab) from birds or other livestock, depending on the disease being tested (e.g., avian influenza).
- This step is essential for testing the presence of pathogens.
Extract Nucleic Acids (DNA/RNA):
- Use MagMAX Core Sample Extraction Kits to extract DNA or RNA from the collected samples.
- Add the sample to the extraction tube, follow kit instructions, and use a magnetic particle processor to isolate high-quality nucleic acids.
- This step ensures that high-quality DNA or RNA is available for accurate testing.
Prepare for PCR Testing:
- Mix the extracted nucleic acids with VetMAX Master Mixes (pre-formulated PCR reagents).
- Pipette the mixture into PCR reaction tubes.
- This step amplifies DNA/RNA, making it ready for pathogen detection.
Run PCR Test:
- Place the prepared PCR reaction tubes into the QuantStudio 5 Real-Time PCR System.
- Follow the system’s instructions to start the PCR run.
- The system will amplify the DNA/RNA and detect pathogens with precision.
Interpret Results:
- Review the results displayed on the QuantStudio 5 system’s software.
- The system will indicate whether the pathogen (e.g., avian influenza virus) is present and quantify the amount.
- Accurate interpretation of results is crucial for making informed decisions about disease management and control.

With this workflow users can efficiently and accurately diagnose animal diseases, helping to protect animal health and improve agricultural productivity.

Last updated on 14 April 2025