Brucellosis (sheep)

Description

Ovine brucellosis is caused by Brucella ovis which is carried by sexually mature rams and spread by direct contact or passive venereal infection. Clinically affected rams have a history of infertility and present with palpable lesions of the epididymis. Although not common, ewes infected with Brucella ovis can occasionally abort. Actinobacillus seminis is another potentially infectious organism which can cause epididymitis and can be tested as a differential diagnosis.

Diagnosis and tests available

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is based on the result of a clinical examination and serology, supported in some cases by bacteriological culture or PCR of semen. Ram semen culture package includes testing for B. ovis. A. seminis and H. somni.

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
BR_OVI_CF	Brucella ovis CFT	Clotted blood (Red top)/Serum (Red top) At least 2ml of serum collected in a red top tube, submitted chilled Clearly record the date of collection on the Veterinary Specimen Advice Form as samples must arrive at the laboratory and be tested within 48 hours from collection. Blood samples collected in vacutainer containing separation gel are not suitable for Complement Fixation Test (CFT). Plain tubes are recommended for blood collection.	Ovine	Up to 5D	$13.40	D (number of working days) and W (number of weeks). Test TAT does not include weekends and public holidays.	Monday to Friday
BR_OVI_ABE	Brucella ovis Ab ELISA (Tier A: 1-9 samples) *	Clotted blood (Red top)/Serum (Red top) At least 2 ml of serum collected in a plain red top tube. Submit chilled. Lith Hep blood (Green top tube) At least 2 ml of serum collected in a green top tube. Submit chilled.	Ovine	Up to 7D	$14.35	D (number of working days) and W (number of weeks). Test TAT does not include weekends and public holidays.	Monday - Friday
BR_OVI_ABE	Brucella ovis Ab ELISA (Tier B: 10-49 samples) *	Clotted blood (Red top)/Serum (Red top) At least 2 ml of serum collected in a plain red top tube. Submit chilled. Lith Hep blood (Green top tube) At least 2 ml of serum collected in a green top tube. Submit chilled.	Ovine	Up to 7D	$13.45	D (number of working days) and W (number of weeks). Test TAT does not include weekends and public holidays.	Monday - Friday
BR_OVI_ABE	Brucella ovis Ab ELISA (Tier C: 50+ samples) *	Clotted blood (Red top)/Serum (Red top) At least 2 ml of serum collected in a plain red top tube. Submit chilled. Lith Hep blood (Green top tube) At least 2 ml of serum collected in a green top tube. Submit chilled.	Ovine	Up to 7D	$12.80	D (number of working days) and W (number of weeks). Test TAT does not include weekends and public holidays.	Monday - Friday
B_OVIS_PCR	Brucella ovis PCR	Culture Fresh tissues Testes, epididymis and accessory sex glands, including ampullae and seminal vesicles. Submit chilled. Swabs	Ovine	5D	$109.35	D (number of working days) and W (number of weeks). Test TAT does not include weekends and public holidays.	Monday – Friday
B_OVIS_CLT	Brucella ovis – Selective culture	Fresh tissue Testes, epididymis and accessory sex glands, including ampullae and seminal vesicles. Submit chilled. Semen Swab	Ovine	7D	$82.10	D (number of working days) and W (number of weeks). Test TAT does not include weekends and public holidays.	Monday – Saturday² ²Prior approval of delivery and testing on Saturday is required. Please contact Customer Service on 1800 675 623 to seek approval.
BRU_RAMCLT	Brucella ovis – Ram – culture and serology	Tissue from reproductive tract Semen	Ovine	7D	$182.00	D (number of working days) and W (number of weeks). Test TAT does not include weekends and public holidays.	Monday – Friday
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
BRUGEN_PCR	Brucella genus qPCR*	Fresh tissues Swabs PCR from culture	Bovine, Ovine, Caprine, Porcine, Canine and Aquatic (Marine Mammals)	5D	$101.25	* Denotes analyses not covered by the NATA scope of accreditation. D (number of working days) and W (number of weeks). Test TAT does not include weekends and public holidays.	Monday-Friday

Additional Test Information:

Histopathology Sample Requirements
Fixed testis: Submit fixed in neutral buffered formalin at a 10:1 ratio of 10:1 formalin: tissue.

Additional Information

Further Information

Further information on the ovine brucellosis accreditation scheme is available from NSW Ovine Brucellosis Accredited Free Flock Scheme.
Blood samples collected in vacutainer containing separation gel are not suitable for Complement Fixation Test (CFT). Plain tubes are recommended for blood collection.

Customer Service

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

NSW DPIRD's laboratories are committed to continual improvement of services. If you would like to provide feedback, please fill in and submit the online feedback form.

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

Provide clear documentation on the Specimen Advice Form with a key list of each animal’s identification.

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