Fanconi re-testing (Linkage test, now Direct Gene Test)

[DebraDownSouth]

Okay just got this in mail, pretty much what was said but glad to hear they may have enough not to need me to resend:

New DNA test for Fanconi syndrome in Basenjis. Dr. Gary Johnson at the University of Missouri has identified the mutation responsible for recessive basenji Fanconi Syndrome. This test is the result of eighteen years researching many pedigrees, candidate genes and the collection of thousands of blood samples. A new test, a direct Fanconi gene test is now available through the OFA https://secure.offa.org/cart.html .

The procedure for ordering the test and collecting saliva for application to the FTA card has not changed from that of the linkage test.

PLEASE NOTE that there are two order carts on the OFA website for Fanconi testing, one for new, or first, tests labeled "Fanconi DNA" at $65 and the second, labeled "Facnoni retest", only for use with dogs previously tested with the linkage test, at $50. Be sure the registration number, name and birth date on the retest order matches that on the original linkage test certificate. The cost of retesting is being subsidized by the Basenji Health Endowment.

Upon completion of the online order for the Fanconi Retest of a dog that was previously tested with the linkage marker test, the lab will check the storage facility for existing DNA. If enough DNA remains a new FTA card will not be required. The test will be performed from the existing sample, whether from blood or FTA card. A new kit will be mailed where DNA quantities are insufficient.

Certificates will be sent to the owner, and results displayed on the OFA website. Test result descriptions for the new direct test will not contain the word "Probably" and there will be no "indeterminate" results.

Jon Curby

OFA

[Bettawhippet]

Hello everyone. I havn't been on this forum in a few years but I got this letter in my inbox a few days ago. Kiora tested Clear in the original test. She is 6 and hasn't shown any signs of fanconi, although I'll admit I have not been testing her urine due to the original diagnosis of "Clear". Is there reason for me to get her retested? I have seen talk in this thread of dogs that tested as affected later testing clear, have dogs that tested clear later been tested as affected? Thanks.

[tanza]

@Bettawhippet:

Hello everyone. I havn't been on this forum in a few years but I got this letter in my inbox a few days ago. Kiora tested Clear in the original test. She is 6 and hasn't shown any signs of fanconi, although I'll admit I have not been testing her urine due to the original diagnosis of "Clear". Is there reason for me to get her retested? I have seen talk in this thread of dogs that tested as affected later testing clear, have dogs that tested clear later been tested as affected? Thanks.

If it were me, I would. Since the first test was a linkage test there is/was always the possibility that the test could have been wrong. And it is recommended that all breeders re-test ALL breeding stock with the direct test. If you want to read more about the direct test and what Dr. Johnson has to say, go to www.basenji.org and click on the link "Click here to see Dr. Johnson's 2011 presentation"

And a personal note, I would not consider someone to be a responsible breeder if they are not re-testing with the direct test.

[Bettawhippet]

Thanks for the advice! I am not a breeder, I just have one companion Basenji, she is spayed. I am concerned about the possibility of her being "Affected" for Fanconi's, I have been living in a bubble of happiness thinking that she was safe from this particular affliction.

[tanza]

@Bettawhippet:

Thanks for the advice! I am not a breeder, I just have one companion Basenji, she is spayed. I am concerned about the possibility of her being "Affected" for Fanconi's, I have been living in a bubble of happiness thinking that she was safe from this particular affliction.

It becomes a personal decision with pets, I think. Like I said, I would do it, just because I would want to know. I think it is well worth the 50.00 to have them retested.

[Bettawhippet]

I think you are right. Retest it is. In your experience did you have to get new blood drawn or do they usually have enough to test from the original sample? I remember sending in quite a large vial of Kiora's blood and it was a very unhappy experience for her to get all that blood drawn from her neck.

[tanza]

@Bettawhippet:

I think you are right. Retest it is. In your experience did you have to get new blood drawn or do they usually have enough to test from the original sample? I remember sending in quite a large vial of Kiora's blood and it was a very unhappy experience for her to get all that blood drawn from her neck.

Well the good news is if they don't have enough, it is just a cheek swab now, no more blood needs to be drawn, they send the kit, you swab their cheek, put back in the package and send it off. They just started with the re-test (as of November 1, 2011) so I don't know what percentage might have to do a new check swab. If they don't have enough, they will automatically send you a kit for the cheek swab.

Here is the link for the re-test https://secure.offa.org/cart.html Scroll down till you see Fanconi Re-Test

[DebraDownSouth]

I am sorry you weren't given better information before. It was a great test, but many lab errors reported making it by no means fool-proof. Under no circumstances would I have quit strip testing my gal who is clear by the Fanconi MARKER test. I am having her retested this month.

[tanza]

@DebraDownSouth:

I am sorry you weren't given better information before. It was a great test, but many lab errors reported making it by no means fool-proof. Under no circumstances would I have quit strip testing my gal who is clear by the Fanconi MARKER test. I am having her retested this month.

It was not only possible lab errors, but the fact that it was only a linkage test so once there was (now is) a direct test we are going to find linkage tests that the results are going to be different. We have already seen a few that people have posted about on different lists. Even with the direct test, like all tests (dog and human) there can be lab errors.

[Bettawhippet]

That is a huge relief about the cheek swab…She absolutely HATED having her blood drawn and has been mistrustful of the vet and vet techs ever since. I didn't not realize that there were many errors in the original test.

I stopped frequenting this forum shortly after I had her test done and haven't really heard anything from the basenji world until I got the e-mail. I will definitely get this re-test done as soon as possible and will pick up some strips tomorrow so I can start testing her urine. Thankfully she has not been showing any signs of poor health and has always done well on checkups.