| Suitable Sample: |
|
| Unsuitable Sample: |
|
| Minimum Sample Size: |
|
| Turnaround Time: |
- Run Monday and Thursday
- Cut off is 7pm the previous working day
- Results available the same day
|
| Request/Test Included in: |
- Individual test
- Combined feline calicivirus, herpes virus & panleukopenia
|
| Comments: |
This test is a screening test to determine the level of specific antiviral IgG in the serum. The titre is used as a measure of the humoral immunity. It has been shown that a titre of 1:5 on IFA is considered the appropriate levels to provide protective immunity. Note that it is possible that lower titres are protective and the influence of the cell mediated response cannot be reliably assessed in this manner.
- Cats with a titre of <1:5 may not be adequately protected and should be revaccinated.
- Cats with a titre of 1:5 but <1:20 should consider revaccination.
- Cats with a titre of 1:20 or greater are considered protected and may not need revaccination. These animals should have their titre rechecked in approximately one year.
|
| Internal Use Only: |
- Store sample at 2-8oC
- Serial dilutions are preformed from 1:5 with four-fold up to 1:80 (greater dilutions may be requested in some cases, charges are negotiable).
- If the test is being done to detect exposure to calicivirus, acute specimens should be drawn at the start of illness and convalescent specimens should be obtained at 2 to 4 week intervals to check titre changes.
- Samples can still be sent to Biobest in Scotland if the client requests this.
|
| Internal Codes: |
- S26F
- S26L (for laboratories)
- S24F (combination of calici, herpes & panleukpenia)
- S24L (combination of calici, herpes & panleukpenia for laboratories)
|
| Internal Laboratory: |
VP |
| Internal Test Volume: |
- 50-100 uL serum for the individual test
- 100-200 uL is needed for the combination
|
| Suitable Sample: |
|
| Unsuitable Sample: |
|
| Minimum Sample Size: |
|
| Turnaround Time: |
|
| Request/Test Included in: |
- Request Test (must specifically request antibody titre by virus neutralisation test/VNT)
- Contact laboratory if doing multiple tests for a client
|
| Comments: |
- Virus neutralisation test (VNT)
|
| Internal Use Only: |
- Samples are sent to Scotland on Mondays and results are returned within two weeks.
|
| Internal Codes: |
- S26B
- S26B+ (additional tests in same batch for same client)
|
| Internal Laboratory: |
Biobest, Scotland |
| Internal Test Volume: |
1 ml clear serum |
| Suitable Sample: |
|
| Unsuitable Sample: |
|
| Minimum Sample Size: |
|
| Turnaround Time: |
|
| Request/Test Included in: |
|
| Comments: |
- Samples are sent on Mondays and results are returned within two weeks.
- Can be done as an individual test, or as a combination (distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus).
|
| Internal Use Only: |
- Canine adenovirus (infectious canine hepatitis) testing is done at Biobest in Scotland
- Unless specifically requested, distemper and parvovirus antibody titres requested at the same time as an adenovirus titre are done at Vetpath and only the adenovirus test sent to Biobest.
|
| Internal Codes: |
- S13B (adenovirus by VN)
- S15B (combination distemper, parvovirus and adenovirus ONLY IF ALL are going to Biobest)
- U
|
| Internal Laboratory: |
Biobest, Scotland |
| Internal Test Volume: |
1 ml clear serum |
| Suitable Sample: |
|
| Unsuitable Sample: |
|
| Minimum Sample Size: |
|
| Turnaround Time: |
- CDV IFA titre is run Monday & Thursday
- Cutoff time 7pm previous working weekday
- Results available the same day
|
| Request/Test Included in: |
- CDV antibody titres by IFA
- Combined CDV & CPV IFA titre (sample requirements are the same as for CDV alone, both tests run the same day)
|
| Comments: |
Canine Parvovirus (CPV) and Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) are serious viral pathogens in dogs that have been very well controlled with the use of vaccinations. Annual revaccination of dogs has been an industry norm that is being challenged due to increasing proof that protective immunity lasts for longer than one year (and often longer than 4 years) and the knowledge that vaccinations may in some cases have detrimental side effects ranging from anaphylaxis to immune-mediated disease.
Rather than merely stopping annual vaccination, dogs may have their immune status assessed to determine whether vaccination is indicated or not. This is particularly pertinent in at risk animals. Serological titre tests have been designed to measure the IgG levels and studies have shown that protection from infection can be determined with these tests. Further studies have shown that the IFA method is comparable to the gold standard haemagglutination test for CPV and the virus neutralisation test for CDV.
INTERPRETATION:
- Titres of less than 1:5 are considered seronegative and (re) vaccination is recommended.
- Titres of >1:5 are considered seropositive.
- Titres of >1:5 but <1:20 indicate that revaccination should be considered, especially if disease exposure risk is increased.
- Dogs with titres of >1:20 probably do not require revaccination.
|
| Internal Use Only: |
- Original file 21-07-2004
- Serial dilutions are performed from 1:5 with four fold diltions to 1:80 (greater dilutions may be requested in some instances - charges are negotiable.
- Samples can still be sent to Biobest in Scotland; this is done only if the client specifically requests it.
- Store samples at 2-8oC
|
| Internal Codes: |
- S12F (CDV by IFA)
- S14F (combination CDV & CPV by IFA, no adenovirus)
- S12L (CDV by IFA for laboratory)
- S14L (combination CDV and CPV for laboratory)
|
| Internal Laboratory: |
VP |
| Internal Test Volume: |
100 uL to 200 uL is needed per test |
| Suitable Sample: |
|
| Unsuitable Sample: |
|
| Minimum Sample Size: |
|
| Turnaround Time: |
|
| Request/Test Included in: |
|
| Comments: |
- Distemper serology can also be done by IFA at Vetpath
|
| Internal Use Only: |
- If only canine distemper serology is required, use IFA
- The VN (virus neutralisation) test is used only when specifically requested by the client
- Samples are sent on Mondays and results are returned within two weeks.
|
| Internal Codes: |
- S12B Distemper Ab by VN (virus neutralisation)
- S15B Combination distemper, parvo and adenovirus all done at Biobest
|
| Internal Laboratory: |
Biobest, Scotland |
| Internal Test Volume: |
1 ml clear serum |
| Suitable Sample: |
|
| Unsuitable Sample: |
|
| Minimum Sample Size: |
|
| Turnaround Time: |
|
| Request/Test Included in: |
- Request test (must specify Biobest)
|
| Comments: |
-
- Performed by haemagglutination inhibition
|
| Suitable Sample: |
|
| Unsuitable Sample: |
|
| Minimum Sample Size: |
|
| Turnaround Time: |
- Run Monday & Thursday (both CDV & CPV)
- Cutoff time 7pm previous working weekday
- Results same day
|
| Request/Test Included in: |
- CPV antibody titre by IFA
- Combined CDV & CPV IFA titres
|
| Comments: |
Biobest now perform CPV titre testing by IFA (no longer HAI).
Canine Parvovirus (CPV) and Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) are serious viral pathogens in dogs that have been very well controlled with the use of vaccinations. Annual revaccination of dogs has been an industry norm that is being challenged due to increasing proof that protective immunity lasts for longer than one year (and often longer than 4 years) and the knowledge that vaccinations may in some cases have detrimental side effects ranging from anaphylaxis to immune-mediated disease.
Rather than merely stopping annual vaccination, dogs may have their immune status assessed to determine whether vaccination is indicated or not. This is particularly pertinent in at risk animals. Serological titre tests have been designed to measure the IgG levels and studies have shown that protection from infection can be determined with these tests. Further studies have shown that the IFA method is comparable to the virus neutralisation test for CDV.
INTERPRETATION:
- Titres of less than 1:5 are considered seronegative and (re) vaccination is recommended.
- Titres of >1:5 are considered seropositive.
- Titres of >1:5 but <1:20 indicate that revaccination should be considered, especially if disease exposure risk is increased.
- Dogs with titres of >1:20 probably do not require revaccination.
|
| Internal Use Only: |
- Store at 2-8oC
- Original file 21-07-2004
- Serial dilutions are performed from 1:5 with four fold diltions to 1:8- (greater dilutions may be requested in some instances - charges are negotiable).
- The use of EDTA or LH plasma has not been evaluated.
- Samples can still be sent to Biobest in Scotland; this is done only if the client specifically requests it.
|
| Internal Codes: |
- S11F (CPV by IFA)
- S11L (CPV by IFA for a laboratory)
- S14F (combinationCPV & CDV by IFA)
- S14L (combinationCPV & CDV by IFA for laboratoried)
|
| Internal Laboratory: |
VP |
| Internal Test Volume: |
- 50 uL for CPV IFA titre
- 100-200 uL for both CPV and CDV
|
| Suitable Sample: |
- EDTA
- CIT if less than 1 day old
- LH for some birds and reptiles
|
| Unsuitable Sample: |
|
| Minimum Sample Size: |
|
| Turnaround Time: |
- 6 hours, less if marked URGENT
|
| Request/Test Included in: |
- CBC
- Full coagulation screen
- CP1, 2, 3, 4
- FP1, 2, 3
- EP1, 2, 3, 4, 5
- RP1, 2
- AP1, 2
|
| Comments: |
- LH can be used for a CBC, but there is significant clumping of platelets and WBC (affecting the total and differential counts), and the fibrinogen cannot be done.
|
| Suitable Sample: |
- Abdominal or thoracic fluid, as fresh as possible.
- EDTA (if not collected in EDTA, transfer to EDTA as soon as possible)
- Immunohistochemistry can be done on formalin-fixed tissues
- Keep sample chilled, not frozen
|
| Unsuitable Sample: |
|
| Minimum Sample Size: |
- 1 mL fluid is the absolute minimum
- 10 mL of fluid is preferable (extra fluid can be submitted in a plain tube without clot activator)
|
| Turnaround Time: |
- 5 working days (1-2 working days once received at the interstate referral laboratory)
|
| Request/Test Included in: |
- Request test (anti-FIP direct IFA)
- May also be requested as an additional test to fluid cytology
|
| Comments: |
The anti-FCoV direct IFA test detects direct immunofluorescent staining of FIP-related antigens in macrophages in the effusion with anti-FCoV antibodies. This is a very specific diagnostic test as only FIP-infected cats will have virus-infected macrophages. This test has a specificity of 1.00 (100% positive predictive value) but a relatively low sensitivity of 0.75 (75%). No single test is able to confirm a diagnosis of FIP apart from histopathology or positive direct IFA test on effusion fluid. Clinical diagnosis of FIP should be based on a wide variety of tests including history, age, number of cats in household, persistent pyrexia and laboratory data including assessment of acute phase proteins, analysis of effusions, haematology and biochemical tests, as well as specific serological tests to list a few. |
| Suitable Sample: |
|
| Unsuitable Sample: |
- EDTA
- LH
- Species other than cats
|
| Minimum Sample Size: |
|
| Turnaround Time: |
- Run Tuesday and Friday
- Cutoff time 7pm previous working week day
- Results available the same day
|
| Request/Test Included in: |
- This test is included in the FIP Screen
- It may also be requested as an individual test (Coronavirus Indirect IFA)
|
| Comments: |
This is the gold-standard test for measurement of antibodies to feline coronavirus (FCoV).
- Titres of 1:10 or less are considered seronegative
- Titres 1:40 or greater considered seropositive
- Titres <1:10 indicate a low likelihood of coronavirus shedding. If the cat is infected they are likely to stop shedding when isolated.
- Cats with high titres (1:640 or higher) are almost always shedding virus but can stop shedding upon isolation. This can be demonstrated by a drop in their titre to low or undetectable levels.
- Cats with clinical FIP usually have a high titre (1:640 or higher), although a few cases may show low titres in the terminal stages (particularly in the effusive forms).
- The higher the titre the greater the specificity and sensitivity of this test for a diagnosis of FIP. The positive predictive index at 1:1600 is 0.94 and the negative predictive index 0.88 (J Vet Int Med 2003:17 781-790)
- No single test is suitable to confirm a diagnosis of FIP apart from histopathology. Clinical diagnosis of FIP should be based on a wide variety of tests including history, age, number of cats in household, persistent pyrexia and laboratory data including assessment of acute phase proteins, analysis of effusions, haematology and biochemical tests as well as specific serological tests to list a few.
|
| Internal Use Only: |
- Serial dilutions are performed from 1:10 with 4-fold dilutions to 1:2560.
- Although in theory this test can also be done on canine serum, this requires the use of specific canine reagent, plus there are no guidelines for interpretation of canine results, therefore TEST CANNOT BE DONE ON DOGS
|
| Internal Codes: |
- S23
- S23L (for laboratories)
- S23 (FIP Screen)
- S23L (FIP Screen for laboratories)
- S16F (canine coronavirus Ab titre)
|
| Internal Laboratory: |
VP |
| Internal Test Volume: |
50 uL |
| Suitable Sample: |
|
| Unsuitable Sample: |
|
| Minimum Sample Size: |
|
| Turnaround Time: |
|
| Request/Test Included in: |
|
| Comments: |
- CP2 includes CBC, CK, AST, ALT, ALP, GGT, bilirubin, urea, creatinine, lipase, amylase, glucose, cholesterol, Na, K, Cl, total protein, albumin, globulins, calcium, phosphorus, urine SG and ketones (if indicated).
|
| Suitable Sample: |
|
| Unsuitable Sample: |
- EDTA (Can be used for some tests)
|
| Minimum Sample Size: |
|
| Turnaround Time: |
|
| Request/Test Included in: |
|
| Comments: |
CP6 is the biochemistry panel of a CP2. This includes CK, AST, ALT, GGT. bilirubin, urea, creatinine, lipase, amylase, glucose, cholesterol, Na, K, Cl, total protein, albumin, globulin, calcium, phosphorus, urine SG and BOHB if indicated. |
| Suitable Sample: |
- Swab, fluid and/or fresh tissue
PLUS
- Air-dried smear for Gram stain
NOTE: Anaerobic culture is appropriate for aspirated fluid or tissues, faeces, surgically-collected samples.
|
| Unsuitable Sample: |
- Dry swabs
- Swabs and surface samples are less suitable for anaerobic culture.
- Culture plates will not be accepted and will be disposed of if submitted
|
| Minimum Sample Size: |
- 2 mL of aspirated fluid
- At least 1 cm2 of tissue
|
| Turnaround Time: |
- Preliminary Gram stain: 4 hours (if needed)
- Culture: 12-24 hours for most organisms (some take longer)
- Sensitivity: 48 hours for most organisms (some take longer)
|
| Request/Test Included in: |
- Anaerobic C&S
- Anaerobic culture is also included in non-healing wound culture
|
| Comments: |
- Samples should be stored in a cool, dry place.
- Samples for anaerobic culture should not be refrigerated.
- Samples stored at room temperature can be cultured for up to 3 days after collection.
- Any extra sensitivies must be requested within 24 hours of the results being sent out in order to get meaningful results.
- Some in vitro resistance patterns can be predicted based on the organism cultured - this influences the drugs used in susceptibility testing and treatment.
- Organisms that are intrinsically resistant to an antibiotic will be marked with an "X".
- For information on intrinsic antibiotic resistance of specific bacteria, see the information sheet.
|
| Suitable Sample: |
- Fluid and/or fresh tissue if preferred, but a swab can be submitted.
PLUS
- Air-dried smear for Gram stain
|
| Unsuitable Sample: |
|
| Minimum Sample Size: |
- For successful anaerobic culture, it is best to have 2 mL of aspirated fluid
or
- At least 1 cm2 of tissue.
|
| Turnaround Time: |
- Total turnaround is up to 4 weeks for acid-fast organisms.
- Preliminary Gram stain: 4 hours (if needed).
- Culture: 12-24 hours for most organisms (some take longer)
- Sensitivity: 48 hours for most organisms (some take longer)
|
| Request/Test Included in: |
- Non-healing wound culture (NHW)
|
| Comments: |
- Includes aerobic and anaerobic culture, plus Z-N stain and reincubation for acid-fast organisms.
- Samples should be stored in a cool, dry place and should not be refrigerated.
- Do not freeze tissue for culture.
- Samples stored at room temperature can be cultured for up to 3 days after collection.
- Some in vitro resistance patterns can be predicted based on the organism cultured - this influences the drugs used in susceptibility testing and treatment.
- Organisms that are intrinsically resistant to an antibiotic will be marked with an "X".
- For information on intrinsic antibiotic resistance of specific bacteria, see the information sheet
|
| Suitable Sample: |
- Fresh smears made at the time of collection are useful.
- EDTA is optimal for cytology.
- Collect non-anticoagulated if sample is to be cultured; samples in EDTA are not suitable for culture.
|
| Unsuitable Sample: |
|
| Minimum Sample Size: |
- 0.5 mL if cell count is to be done
- Smears for cytology only
|
| Turnaround Time: |
- 24 hours Monday-Saturday
- Most results are available later the same day
- Samples submitted late in the day may be read the next morning (results available by 1 pm)
|
| Request/Test Included in: |
|
| Comments: |
- If sufficient fluid, place some in an EDTA tube and the rest in either a PC tube (without activator) or a sterile urine container.
|
| Internal Use Only: |
|
| Internal Codes: |
- C03
- C03a (second site, same animal)
|
| Internal Laboratory: |
VP |
| Internal Test Volume: |
0.5 mL |