Antech Study Demonstrates KeyScreen GI Parasite PCR Detects Twice as Many Parasite-Positive Samples as Traditional Testing Methods
Antech™, a global leader in veterinary diagnostics, has announced the publication of a peer-reviewed study in the scientific journal Parasites & Vectors, highlighting the superior parasite detection capabilities of its KeyScreen™ GI Parasite PCR panel compared with commonly used veterinary fecal screening methods. The research demonstrated that KeyScreen detected twice as many parasite-positive samples as the Fecal Dx™ Antigen Profile with Giardia from IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., combined with centrifugal flotation testing.
The findings provide additional evidence supporting the use of molecular diagnostic technologies in veterinary medicine, particularly for identifying gastrointestinal parasites in dogs and cats. The study evaluated more than 1,000 fecal samples through a blinded comparison of commonly used diagnostic approaches, including quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), coproantigen immunoassays, and centrifugal flotation, also known as ova and parasite (O&P) testing.
According to the findings, Antech’s KeyScreen GI Parasite PCR panel demonstrated a greater ability to identify parasite-positive samples and offered additional diagnostic information that could help veterinarians make more informed decisions about patient management. Beyond detecting a broader range of infections, the molecular testing panel also provided information about potentially zoonotic Giardia assemblages, parasite species identification, and genetic markers associated with benzimidazole resistance.
These additional capabilities may help veterinary professionals better understand the significance of positive test results, evaluate potential transmission risks, and select appropriate treatment strategies for companion animals.
The research was conducted through a collaboration involving scientists at Antech and university researchers. It focused on comparing the performance of different gastrointestinal parasite detection methods and assessing their effectiveness in identifying infections in routine veterinary diagnostic samples.
Jimmy Barr, DVM, DACVECC, Chief Medical Officer at Antech, emphasized the importance of diagnostic accuracy in veterinary healthcare. He noted that the effectiveness of a screening test depends on its ability to identify the parasites present in a sample. In the study, KeyScreen PCR identified parasites in twice as many samples as antigen testing and flotation combined, while also delivering additional information about zoonotic risks and potential drug resistance that traditional testing approaches cannot provide.
The findings reinforce Antech’s efforts to advance veterinary diagnostic capabilities through molecular testing and provide veterinary professionals with more comprehensive information to support the diagnosis and management of gastrointestinal parasitic infections.
KeyScreen GI Parasite PCR Demonstrates Higher Parasite Detection Rates
One of the most significant findings from the study was the higher parasite detection rate achieved by Antech’s KeyScreen GI Parasite PCR panel compared with conventional diagnostic methods.
The blinded evaluation included more than 1,000 fecal samples collected from dogs and cats in the United States. Researchers compared KeyScreen with the Fecal Dx Antigen Profile with Giardia from IDEXX Laboratories and centrifugal flotation testing.
Across the same six parasite groups evaluated in the comparison, KeyScreen identified approximately 1.6 times more positive samples than the Fecal Dx Antigen Profile with Giardia.
When KeyScreen’s overall detection performance was compared with the combined results of antigen testing and centrifugal flotation, the PCR panel identified parasites in twice as many samples.
These results highlight the potential advantages of molecular diagnostic testing in veterinary practices, where accurate identification of gastrointestinal parasites is essential for determining appropriate treatment and reducing the possibility of ongoing infection or transmission.
Traditional fecal screening methods remain widely used in veterinary medicine. However, their ability to detect certain infections may be influenced by factors such as parasite shedding patterns, sample characteristics, and the diagnostic sensitivity of the testing method.
PCR-based testing offers a different approach by detecting parasite-specific genetic material in fecal samples. This molecular technique can help identify infections that might otherwise be missed through conventional screening methods.
For veterinarians, improved detection rates may provide a more complete understanding of an animal’s gastrointestinal health and support earlier identification of parasitic infections.
Advanced Giardia Testing Provides Additional Information About Zoonotic Risk
Another important advantage highlighted in the research involved the ability of KeyScreen to distinguish between different Giardia assemblages.
Giardia is a microscopic intestinal parasite that can infect animals and humans. It is a recognized cause of gastrointestinal illness and can contribute to symptoms such as diarrhea, digestive discomfort, and other gastrointestinal complications.
Different Giardia assemblages are associated with different host preferences and potential transmission patterns. Assemblages A and B are particularly relevant because they have zoonotic potential, meaning they may be capable of infecting both animals and humans.
The KeyScreen GI Parasite PCR panel provides information about whether detected Giardia carries potentially zoonotic assemblages A or B. This additional information can help veterinarians interpret positive Giardia results more effectively and assess their potential relevance to household members and other animals.
The study found that approximately nine out of every 10 Giardia-positive samples did not belong to assemblages A or B. This distinction is important because a positive Giardia result does not necessarily indicate the same level of potential zoonotic concern in every case.
By identifying the assemblage associated with an infection, KeyScreen can provide veterinarians with more detailed information to support discussions with pet owners about infection management, hygiene practices, and potential transmission risks.
The study also identified limitations in the comparative performance of the Fecal Dx Antigen Profile. Among the 10 samples that tested positive for Giardia assemblages A or B, the Fecal Dx profile detected only four.
This finding suggests that the additional molecular information provided by KeyScreen may be valuable when evaluating Giardia infections and understanding their potential significance for animal and human health.
The ability to distinguish between Giardia assemblages may also support more targeted clinical discussions, particularly in households where pets live in close contact with children, older adults, or individuals who may be more vulnerable to infectious diseases.
Detection of Drug Resistance Markers Supports Better Treatment Decisions
In addition to improving parasite detection and Giardia characterization, KeyScreen provides information about genetic markers associated with benzimidazole resistance in hookworms.
Benzimidazoles are a class of antiparasitic medications commonly used in veterinary medicine to treat various gastrointestinal worm infections. However, the emergence of drug resistance can reduce treatment effectiveness and create challenges for veterinarians managing persistent parasitic infections.
The study found that approximately one in five hookworm-positive samples contained markers associated with benzimidazole resistance.
Identifying these markers may provide veterinarians with useful information when selecting treatment strategies and evaluating the potential reasons for inadequate responses to certain antiparasitic medications.
Drug resistance is an important concern in veterinary parasitology because repeated exposure to antiparasitic treatments can contribute to the selection and spread of resistant parasite populations.
Molecular testing can help identify genetic characteristics associated with resistance, potentially allowing veterinarians to make more informed decisions about medication selection and follow-up testing.
The presence of resistance-associated markers does not automatically establish that a particular treatment will fail in every patient. Nevertheless, the information can provide additional context for clinical assessment and help veterinary professionals consider the possibility of reduced drug susceptibility.
By incorporating resistance-marker detection into its diagnostic panel, Antech aims to provide veterinary practices with information that extends beyond simply identifying whether a parasite is present.
This approach may be particularly valuable when managing animals with recurrent infections, suspected treatment failures, or ongoing exposure to gastrointestinal parasites.
Species-Level Identification Improves Diagnostic Clarity
The study also highlighted the value of species-level parasite identification offered by KeyScreen.
Identifying the specific parasite responsible for an infection can be important because different organisms may present different clinical concerns, transmission risks, and treatment considerations.
For example, the KeyScreen panel can distinguish between Echinococcus and Taenia, two groups of tapeworms that may be difficult to differentiate using conventional diagnostic approaches.
Echinococcus species are particularly important from a public health perspective because certain species can cause serious zoonotic infections in humans. Taenia species also include parasites with different host relationships and potential health implications.
Traditional centrifugal flotation and the Fecal Dx Antigen Profile do not provide the same level of species-specific information described for KeyScreen in the study.
The ability to identify parasites at a more detailed taxonomic level may therefore help veterinarians better understand the nature of an infection and assess whether additional precautions or follow-up investigations are necessary.
For companion animal healthcare, this information can support more accurate diagnostic assessments and improve communication between veterinary professionals and pet owners.
Species-level identification may also be useful in situations where the potential for zoonotic transmission needs to be considered. Understanding which parasite is present can help veterinarians provide more relevant guidance about household hygiene, environmental management, and measures to reduce exposure.
Study Findings Support KeyScreen as a Primary Fecal Screening Option
Another important finding involved the relatively small number of samples in which centrifugal flotation detected parasites that were not identified by KeyScreen.
According to the study results, flotation identified parasites in only six out of 1,013 samples, representing approximately 0.6% of the evaluated samples, that were not detected by KeyScreen.
This finding supports the potential use of KeyScreen as a primary fecal screening method, with centrifugal flotation reserved for selected clinical situations where additional investigation may be appropriate.
Centrifugal flotation is a commonly used diagnostic procedure in veterinary practices. It involves processing fecal samples using a flotation solution and centrifugation to help concentrate parasite eggs, cysts, and other diagnostic structures for microscopic examination.
Although the technique has an established role in veterinary parasitology, its diagnostic performance may vary depending on parasite shedding, sample preparation, and the ability to identify organisms through microscopic examination.
PCR testing offers an alternative molecular approach by identifying parasite-specific genetic material. The study’s findings suggest that combining molecular sensitivity with additional genetic information may provide a more comprehensive assessment of gastrointestinal parasite infections.
However, the limited number of additional detections by flotation also indicates that conventional microscopy may retain value in selected circumstances. The findings do not necessarily eliminate the need for other diagnostic procedures, as veterinarians may select testing methods based on an animal’s clinical presentation, exposure history, and suspected infection.
The research instead provides comparative evidence that can help veterinary professionals evaluate the role of molecular testing in routine diagnostic workflows.
Comprehensive Diagnostic Information for Veterinary Practices
The findings from the study highlight several potential advantages of incorporating KeyScreen GI Parasite PCR into veterinary diagnostic practices.
First, the higher detection rate may help veterinarians identify more parasite-positive cases among animals undergoing gastrointestinal screening. Improved identification can support timely clinical evaluation and appropriate management.
Second, the panel’s ability to identify potentially zoonotic Giardia assemblages may provide additional information about possible public health implications. This is particularly relevant for pets living in households where close contact between animals and humans is common.
Third, the identification of benzimidazole-resistance markers in hookworm-positive samples may help veterinarians consider potential treatment challenges and evaluate alternative management approaches when appropriate.
Finally, species-level identification of parasites such as Echinococcus and Taenia may provide greater diagnostic clarity than methods that do not offer comparable differentiation.
Together, these features demonstrate how molecular diagnostics can contribute to the development of more comprehensive veterinary healthcare solutions.
For veterinary laboratories and practitioners, diagnostic accuracy is an important component of effective patient care. Identifying infections more reliably can help reduce uncertainty, guide treatment decisions, and support ongoing monitoring when animals are at risk of recurrent parasitic infections.
Peer-Reviewed Research Strengthens Evidence for Molecular Veterinary Diagnostics
The publication of the findings in Parasites & Vectors provides peer-reviewed scientific evidence comparing different gastrointestinal parasite detection approaches in dogs and cats.
The study, titled “Comparison of Gastrointestinal Parasite Detection Methods in Fecal Samples from Dogs and Cats in the United States: qPCR, Coproantigen Immunoassays, and Centrifugal Flotation,” evaluates the diagnostic performance of molecular testing, antigen-based assays, and traditional fecal examination.
The research contributes to the growing body of evidence examining how advanced diagnostic technologies can support veterinary medicine and improve the identification of infectious diseases in companion animals.
By evaluating more than 1,000 fecal samples through a blinded comparison, the researchers generated data that may help veterinary professionals better understand the relative performance and clinical applications of commonly used screening methods.
The open-access publication also makes the research findings available to the wider veterinary and scientific communities, supporting further discussion about the role of molecular diagnostics in parasite surveillance and clinical decision-making.
Advancing Veterinary Diagnostics and Companion Animal Healthcare
Antech’s latest research announcement underscores the importance of continuing innovation in veterinary diagnostic testing, particularly for gastrointestinal parasites that can affect the health of companion animals and, in certain cases, pose potential risks to humans.
The KeyScreen GI Parasite PCR panel demonstrated higher parasite detection compared with the evaluated antigen and flotation methods, while providing additional information about Giardia assemblages, hookworm resistance markers, and parasite species identification.
These findings may help veterinarians gain a more detailed understanding of gastrointestinal infections and make better-informed decisions regarding patient care.
With the publication of this peer-reviewed study, Antech is highlighting the potential role of molecular testing as a primary screening approach in veterinary parasitology, while recognizing that conventional diagnostic methods may remain useful in selected cases.
The full study is available as an open-access publication in Parasites & Vectors:
Study title: Comparison of gastrointestinal parasite detection methods in fecal samples from dogs and cats in the United States: qPCR, coproantigen immunoassays, and centrifugal flotation.
Through continued investment in diagnostic research and molecular testing technologies, Antech aims to support veterinary professionals with more comprehensive diagnostic information and contribute to improved gastrointestinal parasite detection and companion animal healthcare.
About KeyScreen™
Antech’s KeyScreen GI Parasite PCR is an advanced molecular diagnostic panel that uses real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to detect the DNA of 20 different intestinal parasites in dogs and cats. The test is designed to provide veterinarians with a more comprehensive and clinically actionable view of parasite infections, including information on drug resistance and zoonotic potential.
About Antech™
Antech, a Mars Science & Diagnostics company, is a global leader in veterinary diagnostics, driven by the belief that Better Petcare is in our DNA. Antech offers veterinarians a connected, comprehensive diagnostic ecosystem to help deliver improved animal health outcomes across a global network of reference laboratories, in-house diagnostics, Sound™ imaging equipment, imaging services, and software. For more information, please visit antechdiagnostics.com and join us on LinkedIn.