FAQ

 

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EXOPOL

With what species does EXOPOL work with?

We work exclusively with sheep, pigs, rabbits, cows and avian species, and always through a veterinarian.

What are the service hours of EXOPOL?

We work from 8:00 a.m. to 15:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, though you can leave a message on our answering machine or send us an e-mail or fax at any time.

What service should I use to submit samples to EXOPOL?

We have a very advantageous contract with the courier service SEUR. Always ship the samples freight forward and use the SEUR 24-hours service (never any other service). We receive the shipments before 11 in the morning.

AUTOVACCINES

What is the vaccination protocol recommended in females?

This of course depends on the disease in question, though in general we advise vaccination and revaccination of females with an interval of 15-21 days before delivery. This ensures important immunity that protects the weaned animals from enteric problems, hemorrhagic septicemia, etc., and the females during lactation (mastitis, agalactia). Once the protocol has been started, we recommend revaccination of the females in each pregnancy (ruminants), every two gestations (sows), or every 6 months (rabbits).

What about the rest of the animals? Should the weaned animals be vaccinated?

This is not necessary in most species and processes. However, in some cases, e.g., meningitis or exudative epidermitis, vaccination and revaccination of piglets is advisable using half a dose, until the acute phase is brought under control.

How should the autovaccines be reconstituted?

Carefully dissolve the lyophilized component in a small volume (2 ml) of aluminum hydroxide.

Upon introducing the liquid in the vial containing the liposomes, the latter are hydrated in such a way that the vesicles form and trap the antigen internally. The greater the concentration of the solution, the greater the resulting percentage encapsulation.

Once the lyophilized liposomes have been reconstituted, how long can they be stored?

Liposomes are lipid vesicles that tend to aggregate and form larger vesicles. Following resuspension, the product should be used immediately.

What inoculation route should be used?

We advise the subcutaneous route in rabbits, sheep and goats; and the intramuscular or subcutaneous route indistinctly in bovine cattle and pigs.

How many milliliters are equivalent to a dose?

This depends on the species involved. In sheep and goats the volume is 1 ml, while in young animals of either species the figure is 0.5 ml. In bovine cattle and pigs 2 ml are recommended, while in avian species and rabbits 0.5 ml is the required volume. In any case, the requirements are always specified in the invoice that accompanies the autovaccine.

DIAGNOSIS

How do I send the samples?

In order to determine which samples to send, consult our Sampling Guide. Once you have decided which samples to send, you can consult about shipment here and print a copy of the Samples Submission Sheet for urgent submission to Exopol.

Can I send samples on Fridays?

No. We do not receive shipments on Saturdays, and the samples would have to be stored by the courier service until Monday. It is better to refrigerate the sample over the weekend and send it to us on Monday.

Can I send live animals for analysis?

Yes, though make sure they are transported in a resistant box, with ventilation holes (especially in summer). Also, place absorbent material at the bottom to absorb excrements, and ship the animals late in the day.

How can I be sure the test results will be kept confidential?

We send the results only to the veterinarian who requested the test, thereby ensuring strict confidentiality. The results are never delivered directly to the farmer, unless the veterinarian specifies otherwise.

Is immunoperoxidase a specific technique?

As with all diagnostic techniques, the specificity depends on the specificity of the components used: antigen or antibodies in serology, PCR (polymerase chain reaction) probes, etc.

In the case of IPX, the specificity of the technique depends on the specificity of the antibodies used.

To ensure maximum antibody quality, we obtain our antibodies from Research and Reference Centers of acknowledged prestige in our network of contacts throughout the world.

Whenever possible (60% of cases), we use monoclonal antibodies that only recognize a fraction of a molecule that is exclusive to the pathogen in question — thus ensuring maximum specificity. In some cases, monoclonal antibodies may present cross-reactions; any such situation would be duly reflected in the report.

In the case of polyclonal antibodies, we select those that have been obtained for recognizing the most specific epitopes of the pathogen, thereby making sure that the possibility of cross-reactions is minimized. In other cases, such as Leptospira interrogans, we have obtained a polyclonal antibody by blending various monoclonal antibodies that specifically react with the most specific serovars (bratislava, pomona, hardjo, etc.).