Babesia (Piroplasmida) – PCR

EDTA blood or tick

also determines Babesia spp., Cytauxzoon spp. (cat) and Theileria (horse); Species differentiation is done automatically and free of charge after a positive PCR result.

realtime PCR

1 - 3 days

• Microscopic detection is possible from the 5th day p.i. onwards. It is preferable to collect capillary blood (edge of the ear) and spread it onto a glass slide. The detection from capillary blood significantly increases sensitivity!
• PCR detection is far more sensitive than the detection from a blood smear. In case of a chronic infection, it can be assumed that pathogens have spread to many sites. However, the concentration of pathogen DNA in the blood may be very low and thus lead to a negative result in the PCR. While a positive PCR is proof of an infection, a negative PCR never rules out an infection.