[Comparison of IgG determination in foals using commercially available rapid tests].

This research compared three commercially available rapid tests used for determining IgG levels in foals. The study found differences in test performance and accuracy, with the Equi Z-Test needing some practice to accurately interpret results.

Methodology

• The tests compared were the Equi Z-Test, Aglutinade Foal Immunity, and the Cite Foal IgG-Test.
• A well-established method known as single radial immunodiffusion was used as a reference.
• The tests were evaluated based on ease of use, speed of results, and accuracy in comparison with the reference method.

Findings

• All three tests were quick and results could be obtained within a few minutes.
• Interpreting results from the Cite Foal IgG-Test was found to be the easiest, while the Equi Z-Test and the Aglutinade Foal Immunity-Test required some practice to obtain reliable results.
• In terms of correspondence with single radial immunodiffusion, the Cite Foal IgG-Test showed the highest correlation at 94%, followed by the Aglutinade Foal Immunity-Test at 74.1%, and the Equi Z-Test at 57.1%.

Performance in specific groups

• The tests showed their best results in two specific groups: foals with high IgG levels (>800 mg/100 ml) and those with very low IgG levels (<200 mg/100 ml).
• In the high-IgG group, the accuracy of the Cite Foal IgG-Test was 97.1%, while the Equi Z-Test achieved 100% accuracy.
• In the low-IgG group, these tests achieved 93.3% and 82.1% accuracy, respectively.
• The Aglutinade Foal Immunity-Test showed a consistent performance across all groups, achieving an accuracy rate ranging between 70.9% and 77.8%.

Conclusion

• The study concludes that there are differences between the three commercially available tests in terms of ease of use and accuracy of results.
• Practice could potentially improve the reliability of outcomes from the Equi Z-Test and the Aglutinade Foal Immunity-Test.