With Vetfire, bioMérieux enters the veterinary PCR market with an equine-dedicated panel

bioMérieux, a global leader in in vitro diagnostics, has expanded its veterinary portfolio with the launch of Vetfire, a PCR test designed specifically to simplify and speed up the detection of equine infectious respiratory diseases.

Providing highly accurate results in less than 20 minutes, Vetfire uses advanced PCR technology known for its sensitivity and reliability to detect seven infectious respiratory pathogens in horses simultaneously.

David Smart, global veterinary business developer at bioMérieux, said: “This new diagnostic test is a landmark moment in equine healthcare. By providing rapid and accurate results, this simple test, which uses a nasopharyngeal swab, empowers veterinarians to make informed decisions about treatment and management, improving overall animal health.”

Respiratory pathogens remain a major concern for equine veterinarians. The 2019 equine influenza epidemic in Europe caused disruption to events in Britain, including brief cancellations of horseracing and other equine gatherings. The economic impact of outbreaks can be significant, as seen in Australia in 2007, when equine influenza caused losses estimated at A$1 billion.

Against this backdrop, Vetfire can be used in various scenarios, including:

• Helping to manage equine health by quickly identifying causative agents, supporting decisions about isolating or treating animals.

• Mitigating outbreaks within contained areas such as training yards, allowing positive cases to be identified rapidly and quarantine measures to be implemented to prevent disease spread.

• Potentially becoming part of routine testing before horses travel domestically or internationally for competition, ensuring animals are healthy and fit to compete.

Vetfire not only detects infectious respiratory diseases but also distinguishes between viral and bacterial infections, informing treatment choices. This capability supports antibiotic stewardship by reducing unnecessary antibiotic use and lowering the risk of resistance.

Pierre Rouppert, global Vetfire product manager, said: “bioMérieux draws on more than 60 years of experience in infectious disease diagnostics to bring the same expertise to veterinary medicine. We see promising opportunities to expand the reach of Vetfire technology in the veterinary market.”

The Vetfire test is performed on the Biofire Spotfire system, bioMérieux’s latest advancement in molecular infectious disease diagnostics for point-of-care testing. The equine infectious respiratory disease test is commercially available in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and France, with potential expansion to other countries in the near future.