The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine

Veterinary Dianostic Laboratories

Virology and Serology

Virology - The fluorescent antibody (FA) test is the most widely used antigen detection system for rapid laboratory diagnoses. The test is usually done on frozen sections of fresh tissue. Fluorescent antibody test results are reliable if appropriate tissues are tested, and if tissues are in good condition.

Other rapid diagnostic tests include ELISA and electron microscopy (EM). When possible, submit separate specimens for EM. These rapid diagnostic tests are performed daily, and results are usually available the day of submission or the following day.

Specimens collected early in the acute stage of illness are preferred for both FA testing and virus isolation. These should be fresh and no preservative or fixative should be added. Materials can sometimes be conveniently submitted on swabs if a viral transport medium is used.

Chlamydia (Psittacosis) - Call the laboratory before submission if for species other than avian.

Serology - Results of serologic tests provide useful information for regulatory and export purposes, and planning herd-health vaccination programs.

Serologic results are of limited use in the diagnosis of infectious diseases unless the results of acute and convalescent sera are compared. If this is not possible, bleed at least ten (10) animals or 10% of the herd.

The acute sample should be collected as early in the illness as possible and the convalescent sample two to four weeks later. More definitive results can usually be obtained in less time if samples are submitted for other tests at the same time, e.g. fluorescent antibody, electron microscopy and virus isolation. In the event of special requests or large numbers of samples, please contact the laboratory prior to submission.
Blood samples should be collected in sterile tubes containing no anticoagulants. Bangs tubes contain residues which may be toxic and thus produce nondiagnostic results. Do not freeze blood or allow it to become overheated. Submit serum rather than whole clotted blood if samples will not be received by the laboratory within 48 hours.