Avian virus isolation

Avian virus isolation

Species:  Avian

Specimen:  Swabs, fresh tissue, serum or blood

Container:  Red top tube for sera, EDTA tube for blood, virus transport media for swabs (contact the laboratory to source these from the referral laboratory), tissues in sterile pottles

Collection protocol: Venepuncture, post mortem, swab of lesions

Special handling/shipping requirements: Ship all samples chilled

General information about the disease: This will vary depending on the disease (see table below).

VirusSampleContainer
AdenovirusCaecal tonsilSterile pottle
Avian encephalomyelitis (AE)Serum, brain 
Egg drop 76SerumRed top tube
Fowl poxLesion, serumSterile pottle, red top tube
Infectious bronchitis (IB)Trachea, caecal tonsil, kidney, serumSterile pottle, red top tube
Infectious bursal disease (IBD)Brain, bursa, serumSterile pottle, red top tube
Infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT)Trachea, larynx, serumSterile pottle, red top tube
Infectious anaemiaLiverSterile pottle
Tenosynovitis avian reovirusTendons, caecal tonsil, serumSterile pottle, red top tube
Viral arthritisSynovial fluid, hock jointSterile pottle, red top tube

General information about when this test is indicated:  This test is undertaken by specialist referral government laboratories and would require pre-arranging transport media and notification of the laboratory to expect it.

Comparison with other related tests:  Check if an ELISA test is available to test for the virus either as an antigen or antibody.