LexaGene Hosts a Seminar to Present MiQLab Data from Veterinary Samples

• MiQLab is sensitive enough to detect the vast majority of clinical infections caused by target organisms
  
• ~100% positive percent agreement with culture data on processed canine urine samples
• ~99% negative percent agreement with culture data on processed canine urine samples
• ~99% overall percent agreement with culture data on processed canine urine samples
• Detected Staphylococcus in 21 of 23 (91%) specimens from skin infections in a correlation study
• Detected the mecA gene in 8 of 9 (89%) specimens that contained methicillin resistant Staphylococcus
• Quantitative data on par with culture (r² ~0.95)
  

BEVERLY, Mass., April 14, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LexaGene Holdings, Inc., (TSX-V: LXG; OTCQB: LXXGF) (the “Company”), a molecular diagnostics company that develops fully automated rapid pathogen detection systems, is pleased to host a private event for a select group of veterinarians that will feature keynote speaker Dr. Shelley Rankin, Professor of Microbiology at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet), who will present data on her experience using LexaGene’s MiQLab to detect Staphylococcus in specimens collected from canine skin infections. In addition, Dr. Jack Regan, LexaGene’s CEO and Founder, will provide some introductory remarks on the use of molecular diagnostics in veterinary medicine and present some analytical and clinical data generated using LexaGene’s MiQLab system. Any information thought to be of material nature for this seminar is described below.

To demonstrate the performance of LexaGene’s MiQLab to detect common bacterial pathogens encountered in veterinary medicine, Dr. Rankin and LexaGene teamed up to perform a series of analytical and clinical studies. For the analytical studies and clinical urine study, MiQLabs were equipped with LexaGene’s MiQLab Bacterial and AMR Test, which screens samples for 7 of the most common bacterial pathogens found in companion animals, as well as 13 different antimicrobial resistance factors.

Dr. Rankin’s evaluation focused on skin and soft tissue infections in dogs, which are commonly caused by Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (SP) and Staphylococcus schleiferi (SS). Treating these infections using empiric therapy is a challenge because it has been shown that up to 59% of SP isolates from canine pyoderma can harbor the mecA gene, which confers resistance to all beta-lactam drugs.¹ Rapid in-clinic molecular diagnostics that can detect Staphylococcus and the presence of the mecA gene will, in most cases, allow veterinarians to prescribe an appropriate antibiotic. It is well known that antibiotic use can contribute to the problem of drug resistance in bacteria and inappropriate use of antibiotics is highly discouraged in veterinary medicine. For that reason, it is very important to know quickly if the mecA gene is present in the Staphylococcus species causing the infection. For this study, 23 skin specimens, that were confirmed by culture to contain SP or SS, were tested with the MiQLab. Staphylococcus was detected in 21 of these specimens (91%). Similarly, antimicrobial susceptibility testing showed the MiQLab detected the mecA gene in 8 of 9 (89%) of the Staphylococcus isolates that were cultured and found to be resistant to methicillin. These data signify that veterinarians using MiQLab in their clinic can prescribe therapy with confidence based on genetic analysis. This will improve clinical outcomes and minimize the development of drug resistant bacteria.