Now There's App for That! Mobile Medical App to Detect Parasites in Animals Receives USDA Funding

LEXINGTON, Ky. - March 31, 2015 - PRLog -- MEP Equine Solutions today announced that they have received a $100,000 Small Business Innovation Research Phase I grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  The grant, which targets animal production and protection, introduces technology to perform a simple on-site test to allow veterinarians and animal owners to diagnose the presence of parasites using smartphone technology.  The Parasight System (http://www.theparasightsystem.com/) provides quantitative results in less than five minutes and emails imaged test results with egg count/ type and treatment recommendation to veterinarians and animal owners.

"Current technology using the McMaster slide method is time-consuming and requires both specialized equipment and training – in fact, it has made little advancement since its inception over 75 years ago.  Our technology, the Parasight System, introduces a simple, easy-to-use smartphone based diagnostic that provides quantitative imaged results which are emailed to the veterinarian and animal owner in less than five minutes.  It introduces a technology that has previously been unavailable in either the veterinary or agriculture industry. Receiving an outstanding rating for our SBIR Phase I grant from the USDA and related USDA funding will allow us to move forward with our project," shared Eric Hauck, CEO and co-founder, MEP Equine Solutions.

"We are fortunate to have the University of Kentucky Gluck Equine Research Center as a research facility partner.  Their facilities coupled with our dedicated team of experts, including world renowned parasitologist and co-founder, Martin K. Nielsen, PhD, DVM, DEVPC, DACVM, have contributed to the rapid technology advances we have made in such a short period of time.  The tremendous team effort allowed us to determine a rapid mechanism to detect parasites in fecal samples and to differentiate parasite eggs enabling a complete fecal egg count in under five minutes showing 'glowing' fecal parasite eggs and their respective count to enable a veterinarian to determine appropriate treatment," shared Paul Slusarewicz, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer and co-founder of MEP Equine Solutions and University of Kentucky adjunct professor.

"The Parasight System is a promising innovation in the field of parasitology and we are pleased that this pioneering technology will serve Kentucky's signature equine industry.  This new tool will allow immediate on-site results with more timely treatment and management.  We are pleased to work in partnership with MEP Equine Solutions and Dr. Paul Slusarewicz's team in advancing this compelling veterinary and agriculture technology," said Nancy Cox, Dean of the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and the Environment.

About The Parasight System
The Parasight System is a smartphone based fecal egg diagnostic and intestinal parasite management tool for veterinarians. This on-site veterinarian based solution provides rapid, quantitative fecal egg counts in animals. Parasight's on-site testing and accurate results enable veterinarians and consumers to effectively treat and manage parasite outbreaks. It also features the Eggsight System, an integrated or standalone follow-up mobile app based fecal egg detection test that confirms treatment efficacy.  For more information: http://www.theparasightsystem.com/

About MEP Equine Solutions, LLC
The Parasight System is a product of MEP Equine Solutions, LLC, a Lexington, KY based animal health technology company focused on veterinarian and consumer based solutions. MEP Equine Solutions leadership and scientific team is recognized worldwide for its innovative problem solving and its ability to deliver technology based solutions for veterinarians and consumers caring for horses, livestock and companion animals.  For more information: http://www.theparasightsystem.com/

About University of Kentucky, Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center
The mission of the Gluck Center, a UK Ag Equine program in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, is scientific discovery, education and dissemination of knowledge for the benefit of the health and well-being of horses. The Gluck Center faculty conducts equine research in six targeted areas: genetics and genomics, infectious diseases and immunology, musculoskeletal science, parasitology, pharmacology / toxicology and reproductive health.  For more information on the Gluck Center, visit http://www.ca.uky.edu/gluck.

MEP Equine Solutions, LLC, Parasight System and Eggsight System are registered trademarks of MEP Equine Solutions, LLC. Other trademarks are owned by their respective companies.