Selection, Collection, and Submission of Samples

Serology Submission Guidelines

In most infections, 10-14 days are required for the development of demonstrable antibodies. If a blood sample is drawn during the acute phase of a disease, a second sample should be drawn 10-14 days later. Paired sera should be tested together to maximize the diagnostic value of test results.

Send serum only, not whole blood or clots and allow at least 0.5ml serum per test.

Always use dry needles, containers, and tubes.
Do not freeze blood before collecting serum.
Do not force blood through needles.
Do not use outdated corvac or SST tubes.
Do not submit blood samples in syringes.

Do not submit blood samples in syringes. Collect blood samples in clean sterile tubes (Vacutainer or SST tubes). Fill tubes 3/4 full and allow to stand at room temperature for a few hours to permit a solid clot to form and retract. The tubes should be spun and the serum be removed and placed in a clean tube and refrigerated. Screw capped tubes are preferable to snap cap tubes or tubes with rubber stoppers. Do not freeze whole blood or samples with the clot remaining. It is not necessary to remove the serum from the SST tubes prior to shipping. Number the tubes consecutively, matching the actual tube number with the tube number written on the serology submission form. Use permanent marker to identify tubes. Grease pencil marks are easily rubbed off, and labels fall off during the heating process necessary for some tests. Place the tubes in brucellosis boxes in numerical order.

Importing Country Regulations

Please refer to the USDA website to find a list of country requirements.

Brucella

All export and interstate testing requires a Federal Brucellosis Test Record be completed and submitted along with the sample(s). If multiple animal IDs (multiple tag numbers or identifiers) are required to be on the KSUVDL report, an accompanying Import Template will also need to be sent to receiving@vet.ksu.edu. Blood samples need to be spun before shipping.

Hemolyzed serum samples can cause false positive results
Confirmatory Rivanol testing will be performed on all brucella suspect samples

Bovine Export

Please use our Bovine Export Submission Form. Please fill out the form completely and legibly, checking all information for accuracy. Please refer to the USDA website to find a list of country requirements. If multiple animal IDs (multiple tag numbers or identifiers) are required to be on the KSVDL report, an accompanying Import Template will also need to be sent to receiving@vet.ksu.edu. Blood samples need to be spun before shipping.

Equine Infectious Anemia (Coggins) Testing

If the testing method (AGID or ELISA) is not selected on the submission form the ELISA test will be performed.

ELISA
Samples received by 2:00 PM, Monday‐Friday, will be resulted by 4:00 PM the same day.
Samples received after 2:00 PM, Monday‐Friday, will be resulted by 4:00 PM the next business day. STAT testing is available, Monday‐Friday, for an additional charge per accession and results will be available within 2 hours.

AGID
Samples received by 2:00 PM, Monday-Wednesday, will be resulted 36-48 hours after set-up.
Samples received after 2:00 PM, Monday-Thursday, will be set up the following day and resulted 36-48 hours later. Samples received on Friday, will be set up the following Monday and resulted 36-48 hours later.

Canine Export Testing

Canine Brucellosis, Ehrlichia canis, Leptospira canicola, Leishmania infantum, and Occult Heartworm (antigen) tests require a total of 1-2cc of non-hemolyzed serum submitted in a serum separator or red-top tube. Please note that samples for Occult Heartworm (antigen) tests must be received within 7 days of collection.

Knott’s Test (microfilariae) and Heartworm Microfilaria Dilfil Filter Test each require 1cc blood in a purple-top (EDTA) tube.

Babesia gibsoni testing is NOT being performed at Kansas State for export purposes.

If the country you are exporting your animal to requires Babesia gibsoni, please send your sample for that test directly to TVMDL. We do not forward samples for export testing.

Please use our Canine Export Submission Form. Please fill out the form completely and legibly, checking all information for accuracy. Please refer to the USDA website to find a list of country requirements. Many countries require an animal be micrchipped prior to submission of titers. Please provide the microchip number if required. No STAT testing is available for export testing.

Canine Export Testing Schedule
Leptospira canicola
Monday and Thursday p.m.
Samples need to be in our receiving department by noon the day of testing.

Ehrlichia canis
Tuesday and Friday a.m.
Samples need to be in our receiving department the previous day to ensure testing is done the following day.

Leishmania infantum
Tuesday and Friday a.m.
Samples need to be in our receiving department the previous day to ensure testing is done the following day.

Canine Brucellosis
Monday a.m. and Wednesday p.m.
Samples need to be in our receiving department the previous day to ensure testing is done the following day.

Avian Export Testing Guidelines

Importing Country Requirements

Please refer to the USDA website to find a list of country requirements.

Sample Requirements
Avian Influenza testing requires a minimum of 500 microliters of serum in a tube that does not contain EDTA.

Submission Form
Please use our Avian Export Submission Form.
Please fill out the form completely and legibly, checking all information for accuracy.

Testing Schedule
Avian Influenza
Monday through Friday, minimum 48 hour incubation for test completion.
Samples need to be in our receiving department by noon to be set up that day.