Molecular Diagnostics

for Companion, Equine and Exotic Animals

We are the only UK laboratory to offer in-house PARR testing

OUR EXPERTISE

We pride ourselves on running our extensive range of diagnostic tests in our lab in Exeter, allowing a consistent and dependable reporting time. In addition, we are constantly working towards expanding and improving our range of tests to help expand the range of molecular tests available to our veterinary partners.

We offer a full range of qPCR testing for infectious diseases, for more information visit PATHPORT.

As part of our molecular testing service we are also the only UK lab to perform PARR analysis in-house and this can be used as a tool in the diagnosis of lymphoproliferative disease and is based on molecular identification of clonal populations of lymphocytes. The advantages of using this method include:

Clonality testing may be applied to the stained cytology preparations or other sample types known to contain the abnormal cell population.
The test is highly effective and has been widely used by Veterinary Pathology Group using a combination of published techniques of B- and T-cell clonality testing.
It has proven its reliability, providing confirmation of lymphoma in numerous difficult cases when used in conjunction with cytology and/or histopathology.

Our services include

PARR Clonality Testing
Infectious Disease qPCR

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PCR sampling for Clonality Testing (PARR)

PARR is most effective when used on stained cytology preparations or other sample types known to contain the abnormal cell population. Formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tissues can be used, but the deleterious effects of formalin fixation can make analysis of this sample type more problematic. The test is at its most powerful when used with the recommendation and interpretation of a Clinical Pathologist or Histopathologist for confirming suspected cases of lymphoproliferative disease. Some false negative results occur; therefore the test should never be used to rule out lymphoproliferative disease without including expert cytological/ histopathological examination. Clonality testing and CSF samples: The test can demonstrate that a documented lymphocytic pleocytosis is clonal (i.e. neoplastic), if sufficient cells can be recovered from the sample. The test is ineffective if used on low or acellular CSF samples or on blood in cases of suspected CNS lymphoma (as with lymphoma in other anatomic sites), without evidence of atypical lymphocytes or an abnormal lymphocyte count in the circulation.

SAMPLING TIPS

Please label all samples with the animal’s name and the owner’s surname.
Please clearly identify where the sample has been taken from (anatomical site)
If there has been any travel history or if there is suspicion of any zoonotic diseases (Mycobacterium, Brucella etc.)
please make sure this is clearly indicated on the submission form to ensure the safety of our staff
Submit faecal samples for PCR as soon as possible after collection in order to improve the sensitivity of the test and reduce the chance of false negative results

Our Clinical Pathologists

Iain Peters

Laboratory Director VPG Molecular

Daisy Jones

Resident in Clinical Pathology

Sarah Putwain

Board Certified Clinical Pathologist

Meet the whole VPG team

What our customers say…

We have had a longstanding relationship with the Veterinary Pathology Group who have consistently supported us with an outstanding and responsive Diagnostic Pathology Service. VPG has played a very significant part in our development as a leading Veterinary Referral Centre in the UK.

Dr David Walker
 Head of Medicine 
Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialist

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VPG, the veterinary diagnostics and testing experts focused on excellence everywhere