In June 2014, a mutation in the PICALM gene that was reported in the medical literature to be associated with an increased risk of a heart condition called subvalvular aortic stenosis (SAS). Veterinary cardiologists J. Stern from University of California Davis and K. Meurs from North Carolina State University conducted the original research. Based on their publication, Paw Print Genetics began offering testing for SAS in a variety of breeds. Recently, additional research on the PICALM gene from M. Drögemüller and colleagues from the Institute of Genetics, University of Bern, Switzerland was published. Their research contradicts the original research by Drs. Stern and Meurs. This new publication did not find a correlation between the PICALM mutation and SAS and raises enough concern about any potential association that we have decided to discontinue offering the SAS genetic test until further research can be conducted to confidently support its use.
Paw Print Genetics relies on published, peer-reviewed, medical literature in making decisions about which tests to offer its customers. When controversy regarding the medical validity of a test arises, we feel it is in the best interest of our customers to move swiftly to review the new information and make informed decisions. Our decisions always are on the side of providing the highest quality genetic testing with meaningful results for our customers. Any customer who ordered the SAS test and has questions about their dog should contact the laboratory at AskUs@pawprintgenetics.com or 509.483.5950