Gamma Check E

WHEN TO TEST:

Foals ingesting good quality colostrum usually have an IgG of > 800 mg IgG/dl by 4-8 hr old. Early testing allows oral supplementation with colostrum or plasma. After 16-24 hrs of age, immunoglobulin supplementation must occur parenterally.

DIRECTIONS:

A. WHOLE BLOOD (80% Accuracy)

1. Add 1 ml fresh whole blood to tube.

2. Invert tube to ensure mixing & note time.

3. Tilt tube every minute for 5 min. When blood no longer flows, invert tube and gently tap. The clot should remain firmly in place.

4. END POINT IS FORMATION OF A FIRM CLOT. IF THIS OCCURS 5 MIN OR LESS, THE IgG IS ABOVE 800 MG/DL

A jelly like clot that slips down the side of the tube is usually positive, but should be retested using serum or a different test type such as the Equine RID.

Sick foals (with elevated fibrinogen), dehydrated foals, or hemolyzed samples may give false positive results. In these cases, the sample should be tested using serum or another test type.

B. SERUM (For increased accuracy of 94%)

1. For samples clotting in >4 min with whole blood, collect blood into a red top tube. Allow to clot (30 min), then centrifuge and remove serum.

2. Add 1 ml serum to a Gamma Check E tube.

3. Invert tube and note time.

4. Allow the tube to sit for 35 min.

5. Invert tube and gently tap. The clot should remain firmly in place.

6. END POINT IS FORMATION OF A FIRM CLOT. IF THIS OCCURS IN 35 MIN OR LESS, THE IgG IS ABOVE 800 MG/DL.

(Despite previous whole blood result)

Retesting samples with serum reduces both false positive and false negative results.

On occasion, a discrepant result may occur. It is recommended to retest the foal with a quantitative IgG test (such as the Equine RID) prior to plasma transfusion.

CAUTION:

The glutaraldehyde reagent is caustic. If skin or eye contact occurs, immediately rinse affected area with copious amount of water & consult a physician.

DO NOT LEAVE IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT OR HOT VEHICLE.

Store at 4°C

Do Not Freeze

References

1. Beetson, SA et al. The use of glutaraldehyde coagulation test for the detection of hypogammaglobulinemia in neonatal foals. Aust Vet J 62: 279-281, 1985.

2. Clabough DL et al. Comparison of four screening techniques for the diagnosis of equine neonatal hypogammaglobulinemia. JAVMA 194: 1717-1720, 1989.

3. Massey RE et al. Colostrum feeding of foals and colostrum banking. AAEP Proceedings 37: 1-15, 1991.

Plasvacc USA Inc., 1535 Templeton Road, Templeton, CA 93465

Ph: 805 434 0321

www.plasvacc.com

Presentation: 10 and 25 tests per kit.

CPN: 1128005.4