2016 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

Once the testing methodology was codified, and a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) written, testing for the DEA 5 antigen moved into phase two, blind clinical testing. Two closed canine colonies were tested for the DEA 5 antigen, one comprised entirely of unrelated greyhounds, the other of mixed canines. Previously, a portion of these mixed canines had been typed for the DEA 5 antigen, so the sample set had known positives mixed with unknowns. Samples were blinded via identification number. All canines were infectious disease screened, up to date on vaccinations and physical examinations. Testing on the two canine colonies revealed an interesting find. Previously, it was thought that greyhounds had up to a 30% incidence rate of the DEA 5 antigen 3 . However, in testing of the closed greyhound colony, the incidence rate proved to be zero. In a mixed breed closed canine colony, the incidence of the DEA 5 antigen proved to be 21.6%. All previously known DEA 5 antigen positive mixed canines were correctly identified by laboratory technicians.