The following table is presented as a guide to some of the most frequently requested
bacteriology and serology tests. Details of the type of sample required for each test and the normal
turnaround time are also given.
Please note that the turnaround times may
increase during busy periods.
Please clearly mark any serology samples relating
to the sale or export of animals.
| Test |
Turnaround Time (working days) |
Comments |
|
Johne’s ELISA*(serum)
|
1 – 7
|
Test run once weekly. Herd tests may take longer due to the extra time required for large volumes of samples.
|
|
Leptospira serology*(serum)
|
1 – 7
|
Test performed on Tuesdays. Samples received on Tuesday morning will be scheduled for the following week.
|
|
S. Dublin* (serum)
|
1 – 7
|
Test run once weekly
|
|
General Culture
|
3 – 5
|
Swabs should be submitted in transport media e.g. charcoal/Amies
|
|
Abortion Culture**
|
5 - 7
|
Swabs should be submitted in transport media e.g. charcoal/Amies. Foetuses or foetal material should not be submitted from herds under restriction for brucellosis, or from suspected cases of brucellosis.
|
|
Salmonella Culture and Typing
|
3 – 5
|
Typing of unusual isolates may take longer.Initial Salmonella spp. result should be available
|
|
Mycoplasma Culture*
|
3+
|
Cultures set up on Monday only
|
|
Histophilus , Haemophilus , A. pleuropneumoniae and related species - isolation and ID
|
3 - 6
|
These bacteria are slow growing and require many tests to ID. Fresh samples greatly improve recovery rates.
|
|
A. pleuropneumoniae typing*
|
3
|
|
|
Ringworm/Dermatophilus Culture
|
7
|
|
|
Fungal/mould Culture
|
5+
|
Charcoal swabs are UNSUITABLE. Use Amies transport medium without charcoal. Recovery rate improved by processing sample on the day it is taken
|
|
C. difficile Toxin ELISA*
|
1 – 14+
|
Tests run when sufficient samples available, approx. once every 2 weeks
|
|
C. perfringens Toxin ELISA
|
1 – 7+
|
Test run weekly
|
|
Mycoplasma bovis ELISA
|
3+
|
ELISA set up on Fridays, results usually reported the following Tuesday
|
*
test only performed at Stormont
