Please click on the button to view the guidelines for our small redworm blood test.

Several peer-reviewed research papers and reviews have been published describing the development, validation, and application of the small redworm blood test. These are as follows:

1. Lightbody KL, Austin A, Lambert PA, von Samson-Himmelstjerna G, Jürgenschellert L, Krücken J, Nielsen MK, Sallé G, Reigner F, Donnelly CG, Finno CJ, Walshe N, Mulcahy G, Housby-Skeggs N, Grice S, Geyer KK, Austin CJ, Matthews JB. 2024. Validation of a serum ELISA test for cyathostomin infection in equines. Int J Parasitol. 54:23-32. 

This paper describes the final steps in the optimisation, tech transfer, and validation of the commercial test. The results in this paper were, in part, used to establish the guidelines for using this test for informing anthelmintic treatments in groups of horses defined as being at low risk of strongyle infection.  Validation of a serum ELISA test for cyathostomin infection in equines - ScienceDirect

2. Matthews JB, Peczak N, Engeham S. 2024. An update on the latest developments in testing for equine helminths. In Practice 46:34-41. 

This review describes how to integrate the small redworm blood test into sustainable worm control approaches for horses and includes new data on the use of the test in practice.  Latest developments in testing for equine helminths - Matthews - 2024 - In Practice - Wiley Online Library

3. Matthews JB, Peczak N, Lightbody KL. 2023. The use of innovative diagnostics to inform sustainable control of equine helminth infections. Pathogens 12:1233. 

This review summarises the development of the test, how to use it in practice, and includes specific information on how to apply the test in practice.  The Use of Innovative Diagnostics to Inform Sustainable Control of Equine Helminth Infections

4. Matthews JB, Austin CJ. 2023. Using diagnostics in supporting sustainable worm control in horses. UK Vet Equine 7:2-6. 

This review discusses the use of diagnostic tests in modern worm control programmes and how to integrate these tests for effective worm control. This review includes new data on the performance of the small redworm blood test in low-infection-risk horses.  Using diagnostics in supporting sustainable worm control in horses | UK-Vet Equine

5. Tzelos T, Geyer K, Mitchell M, McWilliam, Kharchenko VO, Burgess STG, Matthews JB. 2020. Characterisation of serum IgG(T) responses to potential diagnostic antigens for equine cyathostomins. Int J Parasitol. 50:289-298. 

This research describes the selection of the recombinant antigen components that comprise the cocktail of proteins that are used in the small redworm blood test.  Characterisation of serum IgG(T) responses to potential diagnostic antigens for equine cyathostominosis - ScienceDirect

6. Mitchell MC, Tzelos T, Handel I, McWilliam HEG, Hodgkinson JE, Nisbet AJ, Kharchenko VO,  Burgess STG, Matthews JB. 2016.

Development of a recombinant protein-based ELISA for diagnosis of larval cyathostomin infection. Parasitology 143:1055-1066.

This paper describes the full characterisation of the GALA antigen, which is represented by two components in the small redworm blood test. Development of a recombinant protein-based ELISA for diagnosis of larval cyathostomin infection | Parasitology | Cambridge Core

7. McWilliam HEG, Nisbet AJ, Dowdall SMJ, Hodgkinson JE, Matthews JB. 2010. Identification and characterisation of a potential immunodiagnostic marker for larval cyathostominosis. Int J Parasitol. 40:265-275. 

This paper describes how the proteins in the small redworm blood test were discovered using molecular techniques.  Identification and characterisation of an immunodiagnostic marker for cyathostomin developing stage larvae - ScienceDirect

8. Matthews JB, Hodgkinson JE, Dowdall SMJ, Proudman CJ. 2004.  Recent developments in research into the Cyathostominae and Anoplocephala perfoliata. Vet Res. 35:371-381. 

This review explains the rationale and concepts behind the development of the small redworm blood test.  Recent developments in research into the Cyathostominae and Anoplocephala perfoliata | Veterinary Research, a journal on Animal Infection

9. Dowdall SMJ, Proudman CJ, Klei TR, Mair TS, Matthews JB. 2004. Antigen-specific IgGT responses as a marker for larval cyathostomin infection. Int J Parasitol. 34:101-108. 

This paper describes the full characterisation of IgG(T) responses in horses to antigens derived from cyathostomins that underpinned the molecular biology studies that identified the proteins used in the small redworm blood test.  Characterisation of IgG(T) serum antibody responses to two larval antigen complexes in horses naturally- or experimentally-infected with cyathostomins - ScienceDirect

10. Dowdall SMJ, Proudman CJ, Love S, Murphy D, Klei TR, Matthews JB.  2003.  Purification and analysis of the specificity of two putative diagnostic antigens for larval cyathostomin infection in horses. Res Vet Sci. 75:223-229. 

This paper describes the serum antibody responses to purified antigen complexes that contain the proteins that were subsequently isolated by molecular means for the development of the small redworm blood test.  Purification and analyses of the specificity of two putative diagnostic antigens for larval cyathostomin infection in horses - ScienceDirect

11. Dowdall SMJ, Matthews JB, Murphy D, Love S, Proudman CJ. 2002. Antigen-specific IgG(T) responses in natural and experimental cyathostomin infection. Vet Parasitol. 106:225-242. 

This first paper describes the characterisation of the type of antibody response to cyathostomins that would provide the basis for the development of the small redworm blood test.  Antigen-specific IgG(T) responses in natural and experimental cyathostominae infection in horses - ScienceDirect

12. The small redworm blood test data generated in some of the papers listed above provided the foundation for IP to support the granting of a multi-territorial patent to Moredun Research Institute.  WO2010112836 EQUINE PARASITE DETECTION

Please register to use the service by contacting us at: info@austindavis.co.uk

Pre-paid address labels are available here to download and print FOR UK SUBMISSIONS ONLY. Please contact us if you wish to submit from outside of the UK.

To use our Freepost labels your packaging must be no bigger than large letter size and not thicker than 2.5cm. Packages outside of this sizing will incur additional charges.

Samples can be sent in the post without cooling or ice as serum samples are stable for at least 3 weeks. Please  place in a polythene or leakproof bag within an envelope.