Equine rhinopneumonitis

Description

Upper respiratory tract infections can be caused by both equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) and equine herpesvirus type 4 (EHV-4) with the latter more common. Clinical signs vary from sub-clinical to severe disease characterized by fever, lethargy, anorexia, nasal discharge, and cough.

While EHV-1 infections may also result in late term abortion, stillbirth, the birth of weak foals that die shortly after parturition, or neurological disease. EHV-4 typically only causes acute respiratory disease in foals greater than two months, weanlings and yearlings.

Diagnosis and tests available

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is based on clinical signs, virology and histopathology.

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
EHV1_PCR	Equine Herpes Virus 1 (EHV1) Real–time PCR*	Equine Herpes Abortion Investigation: Fresh tissue Liver, lung, spleen, thymus and placenta Submit chilled Equine Rhinopneumonitis Respiratory/Neurological Investigation: Swab in PBGS (preferred) Nasal/nasopharyngeal swabs are the preferred sample type for the diagnosis of equine rhinopneumonitis Send in viral transport media (PGBS) Horse Export Testing EDTA blood (purple top)- 10 ml of EDTA blood collected into a purple top tube. Submit chilled	Equine	2-3D	$109.35	* 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.	According to demand
EHV4_PCR	Equine Herpes Virus 4 (EHV4) Real–time PCR*	Equine Rhinopneumonitis Respiratory/Neurological Investigation: Swab in PBGS (preferred) Nasal/nasopharyngeal swabs are the preferred sample type for the diagnosis of equine rhinopneumonitis Send in viral transport media (PGBS) EDTA blood (purple top) 10 ml of EDTA blood collected into a purple top tube. Submit chilled	Equine	2-3D	$109.35	* 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.	According to demand
EHV1_VNT	Equine Herpes Virus Type 1 (EHV1) Virus Neutralisation test (VNT)	Clotted blood (Red top) 10 ml of blood collected into a plain red top tube submitted chilled.	Equine	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 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

Additional Specimen Requirements:

Histopathology Sample

Fixed tissue
Liver and lung Submit fixed in neutral buffered formalin at a 10:1 ratio of formalin: tissue

Additional Information:

Note
EHV1 and EHV4 may be detected by PCR in leukocytes early in the course of an infection.
Acute and convalescent samples collected 2-3 weeks apart are required for confirmation of recent infection. (Acute samples should ideally be collected within the first 3-4 days of observable disease)

Additional Information

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

Veterinary Specimen Advice Form

Note: Submission forms are not fully accessible online. For assistance, please email Customer Service: laboratory.services@dpird.nsw.gov.au

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	Delivery Address
Animal (including aquatic animals)	NSW Animal and Plant Health Laboratories (APHL)	EMAI, Woodbridge Road, Menangle NSW 2568