Akabane disease (sheep and cattle)

Description

Akabane virus is a member of the Simbu serogroup of the family Peribunyaviridae, genus Orthobunyavirus. It is spread by biting midges (Culicoides spp). Akabane virus infection is associated with abortion, stillbirth and congenital abnormalities such as arthrogryposis and hydranencephaly however, the severity of clinical signs and pathology are variable depending on the species of animal and time of foetal infection. Disease due to Akabane virus is mostly observed in cattle due to the long period of gestation and breeding throughout the year.

Diagnosis and tests available

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is supported by the history, clinical signs, pathology and supportive tests (detection of antibodies in foetus/unsuckled animal or detection of virus by PCR).

Tests available

Click on + in the tables below for sampling requirements and additional test information

Code	Name	Samples required	Species	Turnaround time	Price (excl. GST)	Notes	Test days
AKA_ABEL	Akabane Virus Antibody ELISA	Clotted blood (Red top tube) 10 ml of blood (including at least 2 ml of serum) from the dam or neonate that has not suckled collected in a plain red top tube. Submit chilled Foetal fluid 2 mL pericardial, pleural or peritoneal (in order of preference) submitted chilled Test for IgG initially (cattle only) and if levels are elevated test for Akabane virus antibodies if appropriate Please note on the submission form if colostrum was given to a neonate	Bovine, Ovine, Caprine	Up to 7D	$15.55	D (number of working days) and W (number of weeks). Test TAT does not include weekends and public holidays.	Batch tested weekly. Contact Customer Service to confirm the day of test set-up.
AKA_VN	Akabane VNT	Clotted blood (Red top tube) 10 ml of blood collected in a plain red top tube.	Bovine, Ovine, Caprine	1-2W	$55.15	D (number of working days) and W (number of weeks). Test TAT does not include weekends and public holidays. This test is predominantly used for regulatory testing	Batch tested on Thursday
HIST_HE1	Histopathology – Preparation & Examination	Fixed Tissues- General Fresh tissues immediately placed in formalin Tissue pieces should not be greater than 1cm cubed to ensure proper fixation Submit fixed in neutral buffered formalin at a 10:1 ratio of formalin: tissue Fixed Tissues- Nervous tissues Submission of whole brain is required to ensure preservation of TSE target sites submit fixed in neutral buffered formalin at a ratio of 10:1 formalin: tissue Brains submitted for Nervous tissues are processed once a week, separate to general tissues to ensure consistent and reliable results. Urgent cases can be processed out of cycle if clearly marked on the Submission Form however this may reduce the quality of the brain histology results, so should only be requested in extremely urgent cases. Fresh Tissues Fresh tissues can be submitted following necropsy The quality of the tissues will be reduced due to the effects of autolysis so ideally fixed tissue should be submitted in neutral buffered formalin at a ratio of 10:1 formalin: tissue	All species	Up to 10D	$84.95	D (number of working days) and W (number of weeks). Test TAT does not include weekends and public holidays.	Monday - Friday
AKA_PCR	Akabane Virus Real–time PCR	Clotted blood (Red top tube) 10 ml of blood collected in a red top tube DO NOT use a serum separator tube Submit chilled EDTA (Purple top tube) 10ml EDTA blood collected in a purple top tube Submit chilled Fresh tissue Fresh brain submitted from the aborted foetus Submit chilled Semen Semen straws or raw semen Please contact Customer Service prior to submission. For regulatory testing samples must be shipped at specified temperatures)	Bovine, Ovine	2-3D	$109.35	D (number of working days) and W (number of weeks). Test TAT does not include weekends and public holidays.	According to demand

Additional Sample requirement Information:

Histopathology fixed tissues
Collect Brain, spinal cord, muscle and other tissues as indicated by gross examination and submit fixed in neutral buffered formalin at a ratio of 10:1 formalin: tissue
Histopathology can take up to 2 weeks for brain samples. Up to 5 days for other sample types.
Appropriate tissues and fluids for serology should also be submitted to exclude Pestivirus infection which can cause arthrogryposis and CNS lesions.
Serum samples are only useful in eliminating a diagnosis of Akabane virus infection in the dam however, the presence of antibody in an unsuckled calf or lamb is diagnostic
Akabane virus may be detected in the brain of clinically affected new-born calves or lambs by PCR. A negative result on this test does not preclude a diagnosis of Akabane disease as the infection has usually occurred months earlier. However, Akabane virus is more readily detected in the brains of aborted foetuses as abortion may occur relatively soon after infection.

Additional Information

Customer Service

Contact Customer Service for enquiries relating to testing and results, quotations and pricing, couriers, sample submission and invoicing.

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CONTACT DETAILS
Phone	1800 675 623
Email	laboratory.services@dpird.nsw.gov.au
Operating Hours	8:30am-4:30pm Monday-Friday (excluding public holidays) 8:30am-12:00pm Saturday (for deliveries only)
Postal Address	Private Bag 4008, Narellan NSW 2567

Quotations

For Animal export, Plant health or Veterinary quotations, please complete the online quotation request

Submission Forms

Veterinary Specimen Advice Form

Please Note: These documents are not fully web accessible, please contact Customer Service (laboratory.services@dpird.nsw.gov.au) for more information.

Courier services and specimen delivery

For NSW submissions, please contact the relevant Customer Service team for courier account details and to order consignment notes.

For submitters outside of NSW, Couriers can be contacted directly to make bookings and arrange collection of packages at the submitters own cost.

Commercial couriers may use either road or air transport and specimens should therefore be packed in accordance with International Air Transport Association (IATA) requirements. Most submission sent by veterinarians to the APHL for testing are defined as “Biological Substance Category B” and must be packed according to the IATA packing instructions 650 (Biological Substance Category B). As requirements for transport can change, customers should consult with their transport agent to obtain current requirements.

Samples may also be hand delivered to the site during normal business hours (8.30am - 4.30pm).

Sample Type	Laboratory	Street Address
Animal (including aquatic animals)	NSW Animal and Plant Health Laboratories (APHL)	EMAI, Woodbridge Road, Menangle NSW 2568