Cajun Casey wrote:PONGO wrote:I forgot to add that this is more wide spread of a disease then most people think. Also, the test is 99.99% accurate via blood sample. The initial test by Penn Genn of 10 dogs were samples redone from a previous place. Those samples could have been contaminated etc. If you go to the GSP Org page you will see the reply regarding the testing and the explanation.
Thank you again!!!
Kerstyn and Pongo
I have followed Pongo's page for a while and really admire your dedication. Is there a link to the information you could provide?
not sure how to link it. It is on the gspca members only website on the bulletin board.
Blind Test for LDAugust 14, 2013 - POSTED BY Missy Neal POSTED IN Bulletin BoardThe German Shorthaired Pointer Club of America has continued to work with the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) on breeder recommendations for the Lupoid Dermatosis (LD) genetic test. Due to questions from GSPCA members about the (LD) genetic test from earlier testing, the GSPCA has completed a limited blind study with the University of Pennsylvania. Ten dogs previously tested by cheek swab, from both show and field lines and with both clear and carrier results, had blood samples submitted on a blind basis for re-evaluation. Two of the ten dogs retested had different results – in both cases the cheek swabs indicated the GSPs were carriers, while the blood tests indicated the GSPs were normal.Due to the results of the blind study, the GSPCA is taking a neutral position on the LD Genetic test. A final research paper is yet to be published by researchers at UPenn and explanation by UPenn of the blind test results have been sent to be distributed to the membership. Dr. Casal's statement is included in this bulletin (scroll down). The GSPCA board and GSPCA health and welfare committee recommends breeders discuss the test and its usefulness to their breeding programs with PennGen.The contact information for PennGen is: PennGen, 215-898-3375,
PennGen@vet.upenn.edu. GSPCA Health and Welfare CommitteeApproved by the GSPCA Board (June 30, 2013)To The Health BoardThe Lupoid Dermatosis test was originally a marker test, which we published. Due to the inherent inaccuracies associated with marker tests, we continued our search for the actual mutation, which we then discovered. This allowed us to develop a direct, accurate test. In the meantime, we have run close to 800 blood and cheek swab samples sent in by various breeders and owners, and we are in the process of getting the results published. A blind test was performed because there were questions as to the validity of the DNA test for Lupoid Dermatosis. Ten blood samples were sent in that had previously been submitted as cheek swabs. Of the ten blood samples that were sent in, two appeared to have disparate results from the cheek swab testing. One of the samples was originally reported as a carrier and on retesting using a blood sample showed to be a normal dog. We reviewed the original results and saw that it was incorrectly reported. The reason for the discrepancy was that the testing machine read the sample as a carrier. However, on looking at the results by eye, the sample could be identified as a normal dog. The second sample is still under investigation and we will report the results as soon as they are available. We have now gone back and reviewed all of the ~800 results by eye and they were in fact reported correctly with the exception of the one sample discussed above. We know that the test results affect not only the animals but also the owners, and we are making every effort to ensure our results do not impact either in a detrimental way. Therefore, we will be only accepting blood samples at this time for the following reasons. Several years ago, we made the submission of cheek swabs available in response to the breeders’ requests for convenience. Cheek swabs are more likely to be contaminated by food, cells from other dogs, nursing puppies, and even human hands. Because of this, we often need to extract DNA twice or three times from the swabs in order to obtain enough high quality DNA for the test. The more contamination that has to be removed, the more chance there is for human error. Blood samples allow for streamlined testing, as they go directly from the dog to the machine. While we realize that this may be slightly more inconvenient for the owners, this will also lead to more rapid and efficient reporting of the results. The Lupoid Dermatosis test is accurate, as long as the label on the sample identifies the dog from which the sample was obtained. In general, DNA tests for genetic diseases are considered the most accurate diagnostic tests available in veterinary and human medicine. However, human errors can occur with the best of tests and are mostly related to misidentification of samples and very rarely due to a malfunctioning instruments. We are working hard to not inconvenience anyone and are confident that our test detects those diseased and at risk as well as those that can pass on the disease. This has already been extremely helpful for many individual dogs as well as for breeding programs. Margret Casal, Dr med vet, PhD, Dipl. ECARAssociate Professor of Medical Genetics, Pediatrics, and ReproductionSchool of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania3900 Delancey StreetPhiladelphia, PA 19104-6010Phone: 215-898-0029 Fax:
215-573-2162casalml@vet.upenn.edu
