Border disease

Description

Border disease is caused by a Pestivirus, Border disease virus (BDV), following infection of the foetus in early pregnancy. Infection of naïve, pregnant ewes can lead to placentitis, reproductive losses, foetal death, and abortion. Affected lambs may be born 2-3 days prematurely and many die before or at weaning. Surviving hairy shaker sheep remain infected and excrete the virus throughout their lives.

Border disease or hairy shaker disease is a congenital disorder of lambs. Affected lambs are undersized with an extremely hairy coat and may exhibit involuntary muscular tremors, mainly of the trunk and hind limbs. The nervous signs gradually disappear in surviving lambs within 3-4 months of age. Other affected lambs can have skeletal defects such as dropped pasterns and mandibular brachygnathia.

Diagnosis and tests available

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is supported by history, clinical signs and the demonstration of Pestivirus/Border disease virus in affected lambs and antibody in the ewe.

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
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
PEST_AGID	Pestivirus (BDV) antibody AGID	Clotted blood (red top tube) Collect 10 ml of blood into a plain red top tube submitted chilled Do not use serum separator tubes. Foetal fluid Pericardial, pleural or peritoneal (in order of preference). Please note on the submission form if colostrum was given to a neonate Submit chilled	Ovine	3-5D	$25.35	D (number of working days) and W (number of weeks). Test TAT does not include weekends and public holidays.	Tuesday & Friday
PEST_SK_SE	Pestivirus (BDV) Antigen ELISA (PACE) – Serum (PRICE TIER A: 1–9 samples)	Clotted blood (red top tube) Collect 10 ml of blood into a plain red top tube (For animals >2 months) Do not use serum separator tubes. Submit chilled Fresh Tissue- Dead animals and foetuses Fresh lung, spleen and mesenteric lymph node - collect aseptically Whole lamb or foetus (and foetal membranes) Submit chilled in an insulated container Note: Unlike cattle, ear notches from sheep and goats are not a suitable sample for this test	Ovine and Caprine	5-7D	$20.05	D (number of working days) and W (number of weeks). Test TAT does not include weekends and public holidays.	Batch tested 2-3 times weekly
PEST_SK_SE	Pestivirus (BDV) Antigen ELISA (PACE) – Serum (PRICE TIER B: 10–19 samples)	Clotted blood (red top tube) Collect 10 ml of blood into a plain red top tube (For animals >2 months) Do not use serum separator tubes. Submit chilled Fresh Tissue- Dead animals and foetuses Fresh lung, spleen and mesenteric lymph node - collect aseptically Whole lamb or foetus (and foetal membranes) Submit chilled in an insulated container Note: Unlike cattle, ear notches from sheep and goats are not a suitable sample for this test	Ovine and Caprine	5-7D	$14.75	D (number of working days) and W (number of weeks). Test TAT does not include weekends and public holidays.	Batch tested 2-3 times weekly
PEST_SK_SE	Pestivirus (BDV) Antigen ELISA (PACE) – Serum (PRICE TIER C: >20 samples)	Clotted blood (red top tube) Collect 10 ml of blood into a plain red top tube (For animals >2 months) Do not use serum separator tubes. Submit chilled Fresh Tissue- Dead animals and foetuses Fresh lung, spleen and mesenteric lymph node - collect aseptically Whole lamb or foetus (and foetal membranes) Submit chilled in an insulated container Note: Unlike cattle, ear notches from sheep and goats are not a suitable sample for this test	Ovine and Caprine	5-7D	$12.60	D (number of working days) and W (number of weeks). Test TAT does not include weekends and public holidays.	Batch tested 2-3 times weekly
BDV_RTPCR	Pestivirus (BDV) PCR	Clotted Blood (Red top) 10 ml of Clotted blood collected into a plain red top tube Do not use serum separator tubes. Submit chilled EDTA blood (Purple top) 10 ml of blood collected into an EDTA purple tube Submitted chilled Semen Semen straws or raw semen (please contact Customer Service prior to submission. For regulatory testing samples must be shipped at specified temperatures. Fresh Tissue- Dead animals and foetuses Spleen, lung or mesenteric lymph node. Whole lamb or foetus (and foetal membranes) Submit chilled in an insulated container	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
PEST2_VI or PEST3_VI	Pestivirus (BDV) Virus Isolation	Blood (Red top tube) 10 ml of blood collected into a plain red top tube Submitted chilled Semen Semen straws or raw semen (please contact Customer Service prior to submission. For regulatory testing samples must be shipped at specified temperatures) Fresh Tissues Spleen, lung or lymph node Submit chilled	Ovine	3-4W	Contact Customer Service	D (number of working days) and W (number of weeks). Test TAT does not include weekends and public holidays. NOTE: For export and/or regulatory related submissions, please contact Customer Service or send through the submission details via our Quotation Request Form before submitting samples.	According to demand
PEST_VN	Pestivirus (BDV) Virus Neutralisation Test (VNT)	Clotted blood (Red top) 10 ml of blood collected in a plain red top tube Submit chilled	Ovine	1-2W	$55.15	D (number of working days) and W (number of weeks). Test TAT does not include weekends and public holidays.	Batch tested on Friday

Detailed specimen requirements

Sample Type	Sample Requirements
Clotted Blood (Without anti-coagulant)	For animals over 2 months of age collect 10 ml of blood into a plain red top tube. Do not use serum separator tubes. Submit chilled
EDTA Blood (With anti-coagulant)	10ml of blood from the affected lamb and its mother collected in an EDTA tube (purple top tube)
Fixed Tissue	Fixed brain and spinal cord- Submit fixed in neutral buffered formalin at a 10:1 ratio of formalin:tissue
Foetal Fluid	Pericardial, pleural or peritoneal (in order of preference). Submit chilled
Fresh Tissue	Fresh lung, spleen and mesenteric lymph node - collect aseptically. Whole lamb or foetus (and foetal membranes). Submit chilled in an insulated container
Semen	Semen straws or raw semen (please contact the Customer Service prior to submission. For regulatory testing samples must be shipped at specified temperatures.

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