Serum Amyloid A (SAA) is an acute-phase protein that is increased in response to inflammation. As such, it is an important biomarker for numerous chronic inflammatory diseases such as amyloidosis, rheumatoid arthritis and atherosclerosis, as well as infectious disease and malignant tumours.
This means it can give real time information using a simple blood test, as it is usually only found in low quantities.
Similar to C-reactive protein (CRP), SAA is synthesized in the liver and measured in blood serum. However, SAA is markedly more sensitive to inflammatory stimulus, making it superior to other acute-phase biomarkers.
It is useful in determining the presence of infection/inflammation at a very early stage. It will allow for earlier treatment and can be used to monitor whether the treatment is working and when to determine the correct time to end treatment. When infection occurs SAA rises quickly. The response is faster than for other “acute phase biomarkers” that look for inflammatory response. It is extremely sensitive to onset, duration and the end of the disease process.
The new Vet SAA from Eiken is a latex agglutination test that has been designed for the accurate measurement of SAA protein in blood serum. A rapid, sensitive and simple assay permits the early detection of tissue injury and inflammation by optically measuring the change in turbidity caused by the agglutination of the latex particles sensitised with SAA antibodies.
It is a platform neutral test, so it is easily implemented into both manual and automated laboratory workflows.
The new kit has been designed specifically for veterinary multi species with improved sensitivity for a range of species;
A traceable calibrator to WHO International Standard is offered with this kit. Protocols are available for a range of clinical chemistry analysers.
For more information, please contact sales@mastgrp.com.
