November 2022
Bovine Respiratory Panel Results
By Gregg A. Hanzlicek, DVM, PhD, PAS
The respiratory PCR panel is a great tool to investigate the involvement of viruses in respiratory outbreaks. Deep pharyngeal swabs can be collected from random animals in the group and pooled in groups of five. This allows the practitioner to economically test more animals to detect any virus that may be present. The number of pools does depend on the group size and the estimated number of animals infected.
For example: in a group of 100 total animals with 20% estimated to be infected/exposed, two pools of five deep pharyngeal swabs will provide 90% confidence that if there is a virus circulating in the group, it will be identified. If 30% are infected/exposed, this sampling plan will provide a 95% confidence level of identifying the virus.
The vaccine history should be considered. Nasal vaccine strains may result in a positive test if administered in the previous 10-14 days. If there is a question to whether the virus found is vaccine or field exposure, KSVDL can genetically compare the virus found with all vaccine strains for determination.
Pooling can be completed at the time of collection. Place five swabs in a sterile red top tube and place just enough sterile saline to cover the swab. Do not add more saline or swabs, as this will dilute the sample.
Please remember cotton tipped and/or wooden shaft swabs are not acceptable for PCR testing.
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