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- Johne's Disease
- BVD (Bovine Viral Diarrhea)
- Bovine Leukosis
- Progesterone
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- Johne's Disease
- BVD (Bovine Viral Diarrhea)
- Bovine Leukosis
- Progesterone
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Test Results
- Disease Testing |
 TEST SAMPLE COLLECTION INSTRUCTIONS
Diagnostic Testing
Intended Use
This information sheet contains instructions needed to order supplies, collect animal test samples to be shipped to Antel BioSystems, Inc. (AntelBio) for diagnostic testing. Test sample collection requires preparation. Please read through all sample collection and shipping information before beginning the sample collection process.
Sampling for Diagnostic Testing
- Sampling for Diagnostic Testing
- The animal’s on-farm ID number must be clearly written on the outside of all sample containers with a permanent marker.
- The animal’s on-farm ID number must be written on the Sample Submission Form.
- Select the AntelBio Testing Services you would like have conducted.
- Write special instructions or comments on the Sample Submission Form.
- Keep shipping container and foam cooler in the farm office, so it doesn’t become soiled or contaminated.
- Place ice packs in freezer 24 hours before sampling so that the ice packs are frozen for shipping (for fecal, serum, tissue and unpreserved milk samples).
- Keep samples refrigerated. DO NOT FREEZE SAMPLES unless specifically permitted, see table below. Never thaw and re-freeze frozen sample.
- Fecal Sampling
- Wear plastic sleeves while sampling. Change sleeves for each animal.
- To avoid contamination, make sure fecal matter is obtained from rectum, not material lying on the ground.
- Fill AntelBio's fecal container with two scoops (or 1/8 to 1/4 cup) of fecal matter using the provided spoon. Snap the spoon off into the container (depress the lid against the notched area of the spoon using a clean hand, twist the handle until it breaks and discard the handle).
- If using your own container, fill half of a clean, small (<40mL or 2oz) plastic container with fecal matter.
- Place fecal containers into the shipping container (see Packaging Samples section).
- Serum Sampling
- Draw approximately 2mL of blood from tail vein (or other convenient vessel) into a Vacutainer® tube or similar tube.
- Use a new needle for each animal to prevent cross-contamination.
- Leave tubes at room temperature for approximately 1 hour before shipping or refrigeration to allow for clotting.
- Place tubes into the shipping container (see Packaging Samples section).
- Milk Sampling
- If you are a NorthStar DHI services customer, milk samples can be used directly from DHI.
- If you are a DHIA member from another state, arrangements can generally be made through your DHIA to obtain milk samples. Please contact AntelBio for further information.
- If you are not a DHIA member, AntelBio can provide a kit for milk sampling.
- For meter collection, transfer 40mL of milk to vial (with preservative tablet) and shake vigorously.
- For hand stripped samples, strip teat first and milk 10mL from each quarter into container and shake vigorously.
- Place milk containers into the foam shipping rack for transport (see Packaging Samples section).
- Bulk Tank Sampling
- After milking is complete and the bulk tank has been fully agitated, obtain a representative sample and place in a sanitary, leak-proof container, such as a DHI vial.
- If using a preservative tablet, shake sample vigorously, if no preservative is available, ship samples chilled and with ice packs.
- Bulk tank or group samples for BVD PCR testing should include at least ½ mL (½ cc) per cow represented in the bulk tank and should not include milk from more than 250 cows.
- Tissue Sampling
- Making sure ear is free of as much dirt and feces as possible, use small “V” type ear notch pliers to snip a piece of tissue from the lower outside edge of the animal’s ear.
- Place the tissue sample in the provided vial, a blood tube or other similar container.
- Samples should be refrigerated if not shipping immediately. If samples will be held for more than 24 hours prior to shipment, place samples in freezer. Never thaw and re-freeze samples.
- Place tissue containers into the shipping container (see Packaging Samples section).
|
Sample Specification by Test Type
Test for |
Sample Type |
ELISA* |
Hyper ELISA* |
PCR* |
Culture |
Johne's |
milk
|
|
|
|
|
serum |
Fresh/Frozen(serum portion only)
|
|
|
|
feces |
|
|
|
|
Leukosis |
milk
|
|
|
|
|
serum |
Fresh/Frozen(serum portion only)
|
|
|
|
BVD |
milk |
|
- |
Fresh/Preserved |
- |
serum |
Fresh/Frozen(serum portion only)
|
- |
Fresh/Frozen |
- |
tissue |
Fresh/Frozen |
- |
Fresh/Frozen |
- |
Progesterone |
milk
|
|
- |
- |
- |
serum |
Fresh/
Frozen(serum portion only)
|
- |
- |
- |
* Thawing frozen milk samples can potentially lead to large amounts of precipitate, which may interfere with ELISA and PCR, resulting in inconclusive results. Properly frozen and stored samples can be used, but submitters should understand resampling may become necessary. |