Histopathology

Description

The histology laboratory prepares slides for microscopic examination which supports the team of dedicated veterinary pathologists to observe and interpret morphological changes in animal tissue. Tissue specimens can be collected from post mortems (field or in-house) or biopsies from live animals.

Terrestrial and aquatic histopathology is available in addition to unusual species on request (eg. snail, bee, tick).

The process of producing a slide for microscopic examination involves sample processing, embedding, sectioning, staining and cover slipping. Slides are then digitally scanned for interpretation by the veterinary pathologist.

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
Various	Histopathology – Special Stain	On Request	All species	Up to 5D	$54.20	D (number of working days) and W (number of weeks). Test TAT does not include weekends and public holidays. A variety of special stains are maintained and can be performed on request. Refer to our Histology Special Stain Page for further information.	Monday - Friday
SLIDE_SCAN	Histopathology Slide Digital Scanning	POA*	All species	Up to 10 days	POA	(*) This process can be requested following processing of fixed tissues and routine H&E staining on submitted glass slides. Details on inquiry.	Monday- Friday

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

Various

Histopathology – Special Stain

On Request

All species

Up to 5D

$54.20

D (number of working days) and W (number of weeks). Test TAT does not include weekends and public holidays.

A variety of special stains are maintained and can be performed on request. Refer to our Histology Special Stain Page for further information.

Monday - Friday

SLIDE_SCAN

Histopathology Slide Digital Scanning

POA*

All species

Up to 10 days

POA

(*) This process can be requested following processing of fixed tissues and routine H&E staining on submitted glass slides. Details on inquiry.

Monday- Friday

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

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