Below is the document Kate sent to me about the submission of tissue
samples for ADV testing, for those who are interested.
 
Also, I want people to understand, while Kate has severed as the main
contact point for the ferret community for the last few years, she was
just that - our main contact point.  Dr. Branson Ritchie is the head of
the research group, and there are several other vets and pathologists on
the team.  Kate was a graduate student and a research tech.  While she
ran many of the tests on the samples we sent, it was under the guidance
of the other members of the team.
 
I do not say this to take away from the importance of the work Kate did,
but simply to let people know that she was not the guiding force behind
the project.
 
Here is her letter:
 
Dear Veterinarians and Owners,
 
I am writing this letter to inform everyone about the current status of
Aleutian Mink Disease (ADV) laboratory testing at The University of
Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine.  My research in developing the
ELISA and PCR assays for commercial use is now complete.  These
diagnostic tests have been transferred to the Infectious Diseases
Laboratory at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine.
 
As many of you know, I will be starting vet school in the fall.
Therefore, I have discontinued accepting any research samples for
ADV testing.  Any specimens that are received after this letter of
notification will be stored for commercial testing.  The new contact
person for commercial ADV testing is Dr. Paula Ciembor.  She can be
contacted by telephone at (706) 542-2867 or by e-mail at
<[log in to unmask]>.
 
Anyone with questions about their past or current participation in my
ADV research studies may contact me at 706-542-2919, if necessary.
 
Thank you for participating in this ADV research project and for your
donations over the years!
 
Sincerely,
Kate E. Pennick, M.S., Research Technician III
Department of Pathology
College of Veterinary Medicine
The University of Georgia
Athens, GA  30602-7388
 
 
--
Danee DeVore
International Ferret Congress Health Issues Coordinator
http://www.ferretcongress.org
ADV - If your ferret hasn't been tested, you don't know!
For more information visit: http://www.ferretadv.com
You can help fight ADV!
Visit: http://help4adv.terrabox.com/
[Posted in FML issue 5305]