Researchers at the Kansas State University (KSU) Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory have developed a new test that they say enables earlier detection of canine parvovirus compared to currently used tests.

Jianfa Bai, Ph.D., assistant professor of diagnostic medicine, and his collaborators at the KSU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory were behind the development of the new real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, the university reported. 

According to KSU, one of the new test's largest advantages over others is that it allows for the rapid differentiation between 2a and 2b strains of parvovirus, as well as the newer 2c strain.

"With this test we can now test all strains simultaneously and differentiate which strains of the virus might actually be causing the infection," said Richard Oberst, DVM, Ph.D., professor of diagnostic medicine and director of the Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory in the Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. "That's a unique aspect to this test."

With its ability to rapidly detect the 2c strain, the new test might save more lives than current commercial tests used by veterinary staff that are not as effective at detecting the strain and have even produced some false positives, the university said.