Submissions:
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Bio-hazardous Submissions
Milk Sample Submission
Trich Sample Submission
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Submit samples to:
Nevada Department of
Agriculture
Animal Disease & Food Safety
Laboratory
350 Capitol Hill Avenue
Reno, NV 89509
Federal regulations govern
the packaging of diagnostic for labeling of diagnostic samples.
Recommended guidelines
include:
1.
Ship specimens in appropriate leak-proof containers.
2.
Screw-cap closures must be reinforced with tape or double bagged.
3.
Label each specimen container with name/number.
4.
Double bag specimens shipped in whirlpak bags.
5.
Add absorbent material to prevent leakage if breakage occurs.
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Serology
Samples:
Regulatory and diagnostic
serology testing requires that 1-2 ml of good quality serum be submitted.
Hemolyzed and /or contaminated serum samples reduces the accuracy and
sensitivity of the tests being performed. A good quality serum sample can be
obtained by using either 1) a separator tube that simplifies the separation of
sera from red blood cells by means of centrifugation or, 2) a red top blood vial
that is then centrifuged so that the sera may be poured off into a separate
tube. The latter method should be done completely before shipping the sample.
Whole blood samples should be submitted for CBC and buffy coat tests only. All
serum should be sent chilled and shipped with an ice pack.
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Fresh
Tissue Samples:
Tissue submissions for
bacteriological and virologic testing should also be sent chilled. Each tissue
sample should be packaged separately. Tissue size should be greater than one
inch but no greater than five inches in diameter. Swabs of the gastrointestinal
tract are useful in testing for aerobic pathogens. However, they are inadequate
for testing for the presence of anaerobes. If an anaerobic pathogen is
suspected, submit tissues or a segment of the intestine/colon with the ends tied
off sufficiently enough to ensure an anaerobic environment. The segment should
be a minimum of 4 inches in length.
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Fixed Tissue Samples:
If
a histopathologic examination is requested, tissue needs to be fixed prior to
shipping, preferably in 10% neutral-buffered formalin. Adequate fixative volume
is important for proper fixation and should be 10-15 times greater that the
tissue volume. Tissues should not exceed one centimeter in width. The use of a
wide-mouth screw top container will help to prevent leakage of formalin during
shipping. Whirlpak or ziplock bags for transporting formalin fixed tissue are
unacceptable.
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CONDITIONS
FOR SHIPMENT
LIVE ANIMALS
will NOT be accepted for routine rabies diagnostic studies.
Only the head
of animals, i.e., cows, horses, pigs, dogs, cats, and skunks should be sent.
Bats and other small animals (rats) should be sent intact.
Specimens for
rabies testing must be relatively fresh and submitted for examination without
delay. As specimens deteriorate, sensitivity for detection of rabies antigen is
reduced and rabies prophylaxis may be necessary. Grossly deteriorated specimens
will be incinerated and no studies will be attempted.
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THE ANIMAL’S
HEAD MUST NOT BE DAMAGED, E.G., BY CRUSHING OR SHOOTING. IF THE DIFFERENT
REGIONS OF THE BRAIN ARE NOT DISCERNIBLE, TESTS CANNOT BE DONE RELIABLY.
Frozen
commercial freezer packs, rather than wet or dry ice, should be used in
shipping. Do not freeze brain tissues because they become very soft when
thawed and the reliability of tests for rabies is compromised.
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PACKAGING
Complete one
rabies history submission form for each specimen
submitted. Enclose the submission form in an envelope and attach the envelope to
the outer surface of the shipping container. DO NOT place the envelope
inside the container with the specimen.
Double wrap the
head (or entire animal) in two strong plastic bags, one inside the other.
Preferably the outer bag should be a bio-hazard bag. This package should be
chilled immediately and kept cool (not frozen) until it is packed for shipment.
It is ESSENTIAL to make absolutely sure that the package will not leak.
When ready to
ship, place the double-wrapped package and one or more freezer packs into a
leak-proof Styrofoam container, and pack with newspaper. All reusable containers
will be returned to the submitter. Large heads, such as bovine or equine, which
will not fit safely into the above shipping kit, should be brought to the
laboratory by personal carrier. It is essential that these specimens also be
safely contained in a tightly closed leak proof container and kept cold.
Be certain to
enclose a sufficient amount of freezer packs to keep the specimen cool during
shipment, mindful of the possibility of unavoidable delays. Do not use wet
ice or dry ice. Do not freeze brain tissues. Packages should be shipped so
that they will arrive at the laboratory on Monday through Friday morning.
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