Test it / MultiRes protocol for unexpected and discordant results.
Test-IT and MultiRes kits are highly accurate and easy to use diagnostic tests.
In the unlikely event of unexpected or discordant results please report these on the following form giving as much detail as possible:-
Practice Name & Address: ……………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………………………
Telephone: ………………………………………………………………………………
Email: ………………………………………………………………………………….
Practice staff member reporting: ……………………………………………………….
Date: ……………………..
Which test was used? FIV FeLV Giardia Parvo MultiRes Other
What was the result?
What is your concern - discordant result - lack of control
- unexpected result - faint line
- other (please specify)……………………………………..
Patient details – Cat / Dog - Name of patient or practice ref: …………………
Age of pet? …………. Breed? ...... Gender? ………………………….
Before the test:
§ Did you observe any damage to the pouch? If it is damaged, humidity might have come in. If the sample pad and absorbent pad get humid, they will not be able to properly absorb the sample.
§ Was the test within its expiry date? Tests were validated for a certain shelf-life, we cannot guarantee that they do keep their properties after that period.
§ Did you use the test within 10 minutes after opening the pouch? That is very important, for the same reasons as in question one. Once the pouch has been opened, the humidity of the air will be absorbed by the pads and the pads will thus lose their absorption capacities. Imagine that the vet first opens the pouch and then takes the blood sample. If the cat is fractious and needs sedation before taking the blood, it can last longer than 10 minutes to proceed the test.
§ If the diagnostic kits are stored under cold conditions, did you keep them at room temperature for 15 ~ 30 minutes before use? The tests were validated at room temperature. We cannot guarantee that under cold conditions, the absorption and migration is the same.
§ Was the sample fresh? Or:
§ Stored at 2-8°C? Stored at -20°C?
§ If yes, did you store the sample at room temperature (+18°C ~ +30°C) for 15 ~ 30 min. before use? The fluidity of the blood diminishes when it’s cold, it might not be absorbed and migrate in the same way as blood kept at room temperature.
§ Were you careful of not to touch the result window? The fat layer of the skin on the fingers will be disseminate on the sample or absorbent pad and that will modify the absorption and migration.
§ Was the result read exactly after 10 minutes? There can be interferences between other molecules (not the one aimed by the test) present in the blood and structures present in the absorbent pad (due to fabrication) but these reactions are much lower and slower than the sought reaction. Anyway, that can lead to a positive result (coloration) after more than 10 minutes.
Sample: blood
§ Which sample did you use: whole blood, serum or plasma?
§ Which vein did you use to take the blood sample? When blood sample is taken in a small vein (other than jugular vein) the risk of causing hemolysis is higher, but that is no contra-indication, blood can be taken in every vein.
§ Was the sample in contact with anticoagulant? Coagulation begins immediately after blood taking.
§ If not, how long after the blood sample taking did you make the test? Even after some minutes, the coagulation may have changed the fluidity of the blood.
§ Did you use the pipette included in the kit for providing the drops? Only the pipette included in the pouch gives a drop with the correct volume required. Some pipettes deliver drops of 20 µl, some deliver 10µl, that is dependent on the test. If the vet uses something other than the pipette to deliver the drop, he might deliver a drop of 60 µl or other volumes.
§ Did you notice any signs of haemolysis? The hemolysis might prevent a proper migration but hemolysis might also prevent the reading of the result
Sample: faeces
§ Did you collect feces with the swab included in the kit? Only the collection with the swab in respect with the drawing included in the leaflet, ensures that the amount of feces is correct.
§ Did you take care not to collect too much faeces ? Too much feces might prevent migration or reading of the result. Only the amount described was validated for the test.
§ Did you take care not to use sticky or a lump of feces? If 30mg of feces contain sticky or lumb feces, the real amount that will be dissipated in the solution is lower and the concentration of the solution used for the test is lower and that can falsify the result.
§ Did you take diluted sample from supernatant layer with the pipette? If not, solid particles will prevent migration and falsify the result.
Execution of the test:
§ Did you use appropriate amount of sample? The tests are validated with a certain amount of sample. More or less of sample can falsify the results
§ Were you careful not to overload the sample well? If it is overloaded, a certain amount of sample or buffer will be lost, because it adheres on the structures round the sample well. This can falsify the result.
§ Did you wait for complete absorption before providing the next drop? If not, the liquid will spread over the sample well and adhere round the sample well, that will diminish the volume for migration and falsify the results.
§ Did you use the provided droppers and swabs? Only the devices included in the kit deliver the correct amount of sample
§ Did you use the buffer included in the kit? The buffer is adapted for the test, other buffer might falsify the results
Results:
§ What result were you expecting?
§ Has any testing or further testing performed by an outside laboratory? Y / N
§ If yes: name and contact details of the lab: .…………………………………..
§ Were the same samples sent or new ones?
§ Which further tests were requested – IFA / Western Blot / PCR?
§ Results/ comments:
§ Is the animal showing any clinical signs of the disease tested for?
§ Any further tests carried out? CBC / Histology / Pathology? Comments?
§ Any leucopaenia, thrombocytopaenia, dehydration or other anomalies noted?
Some of these symptoms might affect the results, but that is depending on the test and the situation, these interpretations must be discussed separately for each case.