Validation of a point-of-care polymerase chain reaction assay for detection ofsubspeciesin rostral nasal swabs from horses with suspected strangles.

Abstract

This study aimed to validate a point-of-care polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for detection ofsubsp.in rostral nasal swabs from horses with suspected acute strangles and to compare the results against the molecular gold standard of quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Two hundred thirty-two individual swabs of rostral nasal passages were characterized by qPCR aspositive,subsp.positive, orandnegative. The specificity and sensitivity of the point-of-care PCR assay were 89% and 84%, respectively. The limits of detection of the qPCR assay and the point-of-care PCR analyzer were 3 and 277target genes of, respectively. Overall agreement and short turnaround time make the point-of-care PCR assay a potential molecular diagnostic platform that will enhance the capability of equine veterinarians to timely support a diagnosis of strangles and institute proper biosecurity protocols.