Latest news with #Anaplasma
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Not Just Lyme: Two other tick-borne illnesses quickly spreading in CNY
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — After a classic Central New York winter and a wet start to spring, most of us are eager to get outside and enjoy the sunshine. But we're not the only ones. As temperatures rise, ticks become more active, and this year is no exception. So, what is different? It's not just Lyme Disease you have to watch out for. Two other tick-borne illnesses are quickly spreading in Central New York, and there's a good chance you've never heard their names. 'Over the past four, five years is where I've started to notice a pretty drastic increase in Anaplasma,' Dr. Kris Paolino, an infectious disease specialist at Upstate University Hospital, said. Dr. Paolino explained that Anaplasma can lead to severe health complications if not caught early. 'I've seen patients end up in the ICU. And every year, you hear about one or two cases that end in an unfortunate death,' Dr. Paolino said. The data tells the same story. In 2019, roughly 2% of the ticks tested at the Upstate Tick Testing Lab carried Anaplasma. In the first few months of 2025, that number jumped to 18%. It's not just infected ticks, as more people are getting sick, too. Between 2016 and 2020, Dr. Paolino treated just two confirmed cases of Anaplasmosis. In 2024 alone, he had 19 confirmed cases. There's no bullseye rash here — with Anaplasmosis, he's on the lookout for other symptoms. 'Really high fevers, severe headaches, lab abnormalities like low white blood cells, or liver abnormalities,' Dr. Paolino said. And there's another disease gaining ground in Central New York: Babesia, a parasite that can cause Babesiosis. Both illnesses can be dangerous, especially for young children and older adults. It's important to note that not all tick bites make you sick, but knowing what the tick is carrying can make a difference. NewsChannel 9's Rachel Polansky learned about it firsthand when she found a tick on her daughter's head. The tick, which she later learned was an engorged female deer tick, had likely been on her daughter's scalp for two days, which is more than enough time to transmit disease. Polansky brought it to the Upstate Tick Testing Lab. The next day, she got the results. The tick carried Anaplasma. Once the pediatrician learned about the testing results, he started Polansky's daughter on a two-week course of antibiotics. 'If it is treated, it's not going to come back again,' said Dr. Saravanan Thangamni, who runs the Upstate Tick Testing Lab. Dr. Thangamani and his team have tested more than 35,000 ticks since 2019. Over one-third of them carried at least one dangerous pathogen. Based on the number of tick submissions this spring, he expects a very busy season ahead. 'Everybody wants to get out. It's the same thing with the ticks. As soon as the ground thaws, ticks come out looking for a host,' Dr. Thangamani added. Thus, how can you protect yourself? Don't let fear keep you indoors. But know the risks — and make tick checks a daily habit. 'We put a seat belt on every time we get in a car, or at least we should. It's a natural thing we do. We should be doing the same thing with tick checks in upstate New York,' Dr. Paolino added. It cost Polansky $20 to get the tick tested. Fees range from $10 to $80, depending on where you live and what pathogens you are testing for. Those in Onondaga County get a discount because of an agreement with the Onondaga County Health Department. Click here to read more about tick testing fees. Insurance doesn't cover tick testing, but it gave Polansky answers, and it helped her daughter's doctor make a quick decision to put her on antibiotics. You can mail ticks to the Upstate Tick Testing Lab or drop them off in person. Click here for more information. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Business Wire
12-05-2025
- Health
- Business Wire
Antech™ Expands Vector-Borne Disease Portfolio with Enhanced Accuplex™ and Most Comprehensive PCR Panel to Date
LOVELAND, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Antech™, a global veterinary diagnostics, technology and imaging company, today announced the launch of two new vector-borne disease diagnostics in their expanding portfolio: enhanced Accuplex™, a reference lab canine vector-borne disease (CVBD) screening test which now detects seven pathogens, and an enhanced vector-borne disease PCR profile, the veterinary industry's most comprehensive PCR panel of its kind. Based on current testing data disseminated by the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC), Antech scientists estimate that tens of millions of dogs in North America are not tested for exposure to CVBDs annually. As cases of canine heartworm disease and tick-borne pathogens continue to rise in both endemic and emerging regions, Antech is committed to expanded care for dogs being exposed to these serious diseases. Enhanced Accuplex can now detect antibodies to three Ehrlichia species, and two Anaplasma species, alongside heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) antigen, and antibodies to confirm exposure to Lyme borreliosis (Borrelia burgdorferi). With the rising prevalence of tick-borne diseases across North America, this expanded detection capability ensures broader coverage and greater confidence in diagnostic results, ultimately supporting informed clinical decision-making. Antech is also offering a new enhanced vector-borne disease PCR panel for dogs and cats to ensure veterinarians have comprehensive diagnostic offerings to meet emerging disease risks. While the traditional 'big four' vector-borne diseases (heartworm, Lyme borreliosis, anaplasmosis, and ehrlichiosis) remain the most diagnosed in North America, rising cases and increased geographical spread of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, babesiosis, cytauxzoonosis, and others demand wider flexibility in testing. Antech's enhanced vector-borne disease PCR panel is unique in the industry in providing veterinarians with the most comprehensive array of vector-borne pathogens in the veterinary industry to date. The launch of enhanced Accuplex and the comprehensive vector-borne disease PCR panel follows the March 2025 announcement of Antech's new patient-side vector-borne disease screening test, trūRapid™ FOUR, a lateral flow test using whole blood, serum, or plasma to detect heartworm antigen and the complete suite of tick-borne antibodies encompassed in the enhanced Accuplex reference lab offering. Jimmy Barr, DVM, DACVECC, Chief Medical Officer for Mars Petcare's Science & Diagnostics division and Antech, said: 'Today, we celebrate our capability to offer veterinarians the flexibility to screen for these life-threatening vector-borne diseases with a complete portfolio of reference lab and in-house diagnostic offerings, meaning no other lab matches Antech in the breadth and depth of parasite and vector-borne diseases screening. The addition of two new Ehrlichia markers and one new Anaplasma marker to our Accuplex reference lab platform, as well as the launch of our PCR panel, will help ensure we can test more comprehensively for exposure to the most common vector-borne pathogens in North America.' For more information, please visit Notes to editors Key Features of enhanced Accuplex include: Expanded Pathogen Detection: Accuplex now detects three Ehrlichia species and two Anaplasma species, increasing test sensitivity and allowing broader vector-borne disease screening across more regions. Reference Lab Testing: Ensures reproducibility and reduces variability with highly trained technicians performing each assay. Peace of Mind: Provides reliable and precise testing, fostering confidence among veterinarians and pet owners alike. Key Features of enhanced Vector-Borne Disease PCR include: Broader pathogen detection: This panel detects more vector-borne pathogens giving clinicians the best opportunity to identify the underlying cause of illness. PCR vs. serology: While antibody production can lag behind infection, PCR is often the better choice for when VBD is suspected but not confirmed. It's also highly valuable when serology may miss early infection. Common yet overlapping clinical signs: Vector-borne diseases frequently present with nonspecific or overlapping signs; improved PCR helps clarify these complex cases. Resistance marker: The panel includes a new resistance marker, specifically detecting atovaquone resistance - a growing concern in the treatment of Babesia and Cytauxzoon infections. This supports responsible antimicrobial use and better-informed treatment decisions. Antech at AVMA Visit Antech at the AVMA Convention 2025 and the 40th World Veterinary Association Congress which will take place July 18-22, 2025 in Washington, D.C. to find out more about our vector-borne disease portfolio and to speak to a sales representative. About Antech Antech is a global veterinary diagnostics company, driven by our passion for innovation that helps veterinarians deliver better animal health outcomes. Our products and services span 90+ reference laboratories around the globe; in-house diagnostic laboratory instruments and consumables, including rapid assay diagnostic products and digital cytology services; local and cloud-based data services; practice information management software and related software and support; veterinary imaging and technology; veterinary professional education and training; and board-certified specialist support services.
Associated Press
10-03-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Antech Launches trūRapid™ FOUR: Simplifying Canine Vector-Borne Disease Screening for Veterinarians
Antech, a global veterinary diagnostics, technology and imaging company, today announced the launch of trūRapid™ FOUR, a comprehensive in-house canine vector-borne disease (CVBD) screening test. trūRapid™ FOUR is a lateral flow test used to detect canine antibodies to Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp., and Lyme C6 ( Borrelia burgdorferi), as well as heartworm ( Dirofilaria immitis) antigen, using whole blood, serum, or plasma. Jimmy Barr, DVM, DACVECC, Chief Medical Officer for Mars Petcare's Science & Diagnostics division and Antech, said: 'With its speed, proven reliability, and streamlined workflow, trūRapid™ FOUR offers busy veterinary professionals a simple alternative to current testing protocols and, importantly, provides an affordable choice without compromising quality.' Key Features of trūRapid™ FOUR include: Streamlined Workflow: Requires just a few drops of sample, minimizing the need for additional blood draws or sample centrifugation. Eliminates manual snapping; the test reaction begins automatically when the sample and buffer is directly added. Proven Reliability: Excellent sensitivity and specificity when compared to reference laboratory testing. For Lyme, C6 ensures high specificity, preventing false positives caused by vaccination. Broad reactivity: E. canis, E. chaffeensis, and E. ewingii; A. phagocytophilum and A. platys. No refrigeration: Tests can be stored at room temperature for their entire shelf life, saving refrigerator space, simplifying inventory management, and eliminating the need to warm up the test before use. Eco-Friendly Design: Generates less plastic waste with no need for additional sample handling tubes — just the cartridge and a plastic pipette. About Antech Antech is a global veterinary diagnostics company, driven by our passion for innovation that helps veterinarians deliver better animal health outcomes. Our products and services span 90+ reference laboratories around the globe; in-house diagnostic laboratory instruments and consumables, including rapid assay diagnostic products and digital cytology services; local and cloud-based data services; practice information management software and related software and support; veterinary imaging and technology; veterinary professional education and training; and board-certified specialist support services. SOURCE: Antech Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 03/10/2025 08:46 AM/DISC: 03/10/2025 08:47 AM
