Tens of Millions of Dogs Remain Untested for Exposure to the Most Common Vector-Borne Diseases Despite Rising Disease Prevalence

Antech™, a global veterinary diagnostics, technology and imaging company, today announced the launch of two new vector-borne disease diagnostics in their expanding portfolio: enhanced Accuplex™, a reference lab canine vector-borne disease (CVBD) screening test which now detects seven pathogens, and an enhanced vector-borne disease PCR profile, the veterinary industry’s most comprehensive PCR panel of its kind.

Based on current testing data disseminated by the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC), Antech scientists estimate that tens of millions of dogs in North America are not tested for exposure to CVBDs annually. As cases of canine heartworm disease and tick-borne pathogens continue to rise in both endemic and emerging regions, Antech is committed to expanded care for dogs being exposed to these serious diseases.

Enhanced Accuplex can now detect antibodies to three Ehrlichia species, and two Anaplasma species, alongside heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) antigen, and antibodies to confirm exposure to Lyme borreliosis (Borrelia burgdorferi). With the rising prevalence of tick-borne diseases across North America, this expanded detection capability ensures broader coverage and greater confidence in diagnostic results, ultimately supporting informed clinical decision-making.

Antech is also offering a new enhanced vector-borne disease PCR panel for dogs and cats to ensure veterinarians have comprehensive diagnostic offerings to meet emerging disease risks. While the traditional “big four” vector-borne diseases (heartworm, Lyme borreliosis, anaplasmosis, and ehrlichiosis) remain the most diagnosed in North America, rising cases and increased geographical spread of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, babesiosis, cytauxzoonosis, and others demand wider flexibility in testing. Antech’s enhanced vector-borne disease PCR panel is unique in the industry in providing veterinarians with the most comprehensive array of vector-borne pathogens in the veterinary industry to date.

The launch of enhanced Accuplex and the comprehensive vector-borne disease PCR panel follows the March 2025 announcement of Antech's new patient-side vector-borne disease screening test, trūRapid™ FOUR, a lateral flow test using whole blood, serum, or plasma to detect heartworm antigen and the complete suite of tick-borne antibodies encompassed in the enhanced Accuplex reference lab offering.

Jimmy Barr, DVM, DACVECC, Chief Medical Officer for Mars Petcare’s Science & Diagnostics division and Antech, said: “Today, we celebrate our capability to offer veterinarians the flexibility to screen for these life-threatening vector-borne diseases with a complete portfolio of reference lab and in-house diagnostic offerings, meaning no other lab matches Antech in the breadth and depth of parasite and vector-borne diseases screening. The addition of two new Ehrlichia markers and one new Anaplasma marker to our Accuplex reference lab platform, as well as the launch of our PCR panel, will help ensure we can test more comprehensively for exposure to the most common vector-borne pathogens in North America.”

For more information, please visit antechdiagnostics.com.

Notes to editors

Key Features of enhanced Accuplex include:

• Expanded Pathogen Detection: Accuplex now detects three Ehrlichia species and two Anaplasma species, increasing test sensitivity and allowing broader vector-borne disease screening across more regions.
• Reference Lab Testing: Ensures reproducibility and reduces variability with highly trained technicians performing each assay.
• Peace of Mind: Provides reliable and precise testing, fostering confidence among veterinarians and pet owners alike.

Key Features of enhanced Vector-Borne Disease PCR include:

• Broader pathogen detection: This panel detects more vector-borne pathogens giving clinicians the best opportunity to identify the underlying cause of illness.
• PCR vs. serology: While antibody production can lag behind infection, PCR is often the better choice for when VBD is suspected but not confirmed. It’s also highly valuable when serology may miss early infection.
• Common yet overlapping clinical signs: Vector-borne diseases frequently present with nonspecific or overlapping signs; improved PCR helps clarify these complex cases.
• Resistance marker: The panel includes a new resistance marker, specifically detecting atovaquone resistance - a growing concern in the treatment of Babesia and Cytauxzoon infections. This supports responsible antimicrobial use and better-informed treatment decisions.

Antech at AVMA

Visit Antech at the AVMA Convention 2025 and the 40th World Veterinary Association Congress which will take place July 18-22, 2025 in Washington, D.C. to find out more about our vector-borne disease portfolio and to speak to a sales representative.

About Antech

Antech is a global veterinary diagnostics company, driven by our passion for innovation that helps veterinarians deliver better animal health outcomes. Our products and services span 90+ reference laboratories around the globe; in-house diagnostic laboratory instruments and consumables, including rapid assay diagnostic products and digital cytology services; local and cloud-based data services; practice information management software and related software and support; veterinary imaging and technology; veterinary professional education and training; and board-certified specialist support services.

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