Johne’s disease

Description

Johne’s disease is a chronic and contagious disease, resulting in granulomatous enteritis. The disease is noted in all ruminants (cattle, sheep, goats and deer) and camelids (alpaca, llamas) and is caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis (Mptb). Clinical signs include persistent diarrhoea, progressive weight loss and emaciation.

Diagnosis and tests available

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is suggested by history, gross pathology and serological and/or molecular testing, and is confirmed by histopathology with special stain (Zeihl-Neelson) and isolation of Mptb from faeces or tissues by culture.

Assurance Programs

Industry led assurance programs exist for beef (Johne’s Beef Assurance Score (J-BAS)) and dairy (National Dairy BJD Assurance Score (Dairy Score)) herds. More information can be found on the Animal Health Australia website. Specific information regarding cattle sampling protocols for herd tests (e.g. Sample Test and Check Test) and livestock movements can be found on the AHA website.

For information on Market Assurance Programs (MAP) for sheep, goats and alpacas, please visit the Animal Health Australia website.

The laboratory can provide testing to support maintenance of assurance scores, but please note that sampling and test selection is the responsibility of the submitter.

When choosing the appropriate test, pay particular attention to turnaround times, confirmatory follow up testing requirements (e.g. test positive animals or pools) and requirements for a quotation prior to test commencement. Refer to ‘Specimen Requirements’ below to ensure you submit the correct sample type and quantity.

If you have questions about selection of the appropriate test(s) for assurance programs, consult your veterinarian.

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
JD_FC_HELQ	Johne's Disease (Bovine) – Herd Environmental Liquid Culture	Faeces: Collect 500ml of faecal slurry into two large (250ml) containers following the specific sampling protocol located on the Johnes Disease Guideline page 14 of the AHA website Clearly label each container with 1 of 2 or 2 of 2 The containers should be put into a plastic bag, placed in an icebox and couriered to the laboratory for culture accompanied by a laboratory submission form.	Bovine	14-16W	$147.15	D (number of working days) and W (number of weeks). Test TAT does not include weekends and public holidays. JD Culture requires several consecutive processes; therefore, new cultures are not set up over the Christmas/ New Year period. Samples received during this time will be held at -80°C for processing in the New Year and will have an extended turnaround time. General requirements: Store samples chilled (4°C) prior to transit and submit chilled (4°C). Samples should be sent to the laboratory within 48 hours of collection	Sample processing begins on Monday
JD_CLT_LIQ	Johne's Disease Individual Faecal & Tissue Culture plus Indicator	FAECES or FRESH TISSUE Faeces: Collect half (minimum) to two-thirds (maximum) of a 70 ml yellow top sterile specimen container. Fresh Tissue: Obvious lesions (gut thickening and lymph node enlargement) collected in separate sterile containers. Below are ideal sites, typical of those required for MAP certification, for different animal types. Cattle: Intestinal portions of 5 cm x 10 cm Proximal ileum (30-45 cm anterior to ICV) Terminal ileum (11-20 cm anterior to ICV) Ileocaecal valve (ICV) and attached segment of ileum Proximal colon Ileal lymph node Ileocaecal lymph node Goats and alpaca: Intestinal portions of 5 cm in length Jejunum Proximal and terminal ileum Ileocaecal valve and attached segment of ileum Proximal colon Ileal lymph node Ileocaecal lymph node Sheep: Entire ileocaecal valve (ICV) Ileocaecal lymph nodes Ileal (caudal jejunal) lymph nodes Two 10 cm pieces of ileum (one proximal and one distal (terminal) One 10cm piece of proximal colon One 10cm piece of caecum (for histopathology only) General requirements: Store samples chilled (4°C) prior to transit and submit chilled (4°C). Samples should be sent to the laboratory within 48 hours of collection.	Bovine, Ovine, Caprine	14-16W	$125.95	D (number of working days) and W (number of weeks). Test TAT does not include weekends and public holidays. JD Culture requires several consecutive processes; therefore, new cultures are not set up over the Christmas/ New Year period. Samples received during this time will be held at -80°C for processing in the New Year and will have an extended turnaround time.	Sample processing begins on Monday for faeces or Tuesday for tissues
JD_CLT_LP	Johne's Disease Pooled Faecal Culture plus Indicator	Faeces Pooled testing: Cattle only - Collect half (minimum) to two-thirds (maximum) of a 70 ml yellow top sterile specimen container and pooling will be completed in the laboratory (5 animals per pool) Sheep - collect one pellet from each animal (up to 50 per pool) Goats - collect one pellet from each animal (25 animals per pool)- Culture testing ONLY General requirements: Store samples chilled (4°C) prior to transit and submit chilled (4°C). Samples should be sent to the laboratory within 48 hours of collection.	Bovine, Ovine, Caprine	14-16W	$147.15	D (number of working days) and W (number of weeks). Test TAT does not include weekends and public holidays. JD Culture requires several consecutive processes; therefore, new cultures are not set up over the Christmas/ New Year period. Samples received during this time will be held at -80°C for processing in the New Year and will have an extended turnaround time.	Sample processing begins on Monday
JD_CF	Johne's Disease CFT	Clotted blood (Red top) 10ml clotted blood (minimum of 2ml of serum) collected in a red top tube Submit chilled	Bovine, Ovine, Caprine	See notes for further information**	POA- See notes for further information**	D (number of working days) and W (number of weeks). Test TAT does not include weekends and public holidays. ** Please Note the Johnes CFT is not routinely offered. Please contact Customer Service to discuss your testing requirements.
Various	Johne's Disease ELISA	Clotted blood (Red top) 10ml clotted blood (minimum of 2ml of serum) collected in a red top tube Submit chilled Lith hep (Green top) 10ml of Lith-Hep blood collected in a green top tube Submit chilled Milk	Bovine, Ovine, Caprine and Deer	Up to 5D	$15.60	D (number of working days) and W (number of weeks). Test TAT does not include weekends and public holidays.	Monday to Friday
JD_MS_EL_ID	Johne's Disease ELISA (multispecies)*	Clotted blood (Red top) 10ml clotted blood (minimum of 2ml of serum) collected in a red top tube Submit chilled Lith-hep (Green top) 10ml Lith-Hep blood collected in a green top tube Submit chilled	Camelid	Up to 5D	$15.60	* 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 to Friday
JD_STR_LIQ	Johne's Disease Strain Typing PCR*	From culture	Bovine	10W	$106.85	* 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.	As required
JD_SUB_LIQ	Johne's Disease Subculture*	From culture	Bovine, Ovine, Caprine	10W	$45.05	* 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.	As required
JD_AGID	Johnes Disease AGID	Serum (Red top) 2mL (minimum) of serum collected into a red top tube Submit chilled Plasma (Green or Purple top) 2mL (minimum) of plasma collected into a green/purple top tube Submit chilled	Ovine, Caprine, Camelid	See notes for further information**	POA- See notes for further information**	D (number of working days) and W (number of weeks). Test TAT does not include weekends and public holidays. ** Please Note the Johnes AGID is not routinely offered. Please contact Customer Service to discuss your testing requirements.

Additional Specimen Requirements

Histopathology- Fixed Tissues
Mesenteric lymph nodes, proximal ileum, ileocaecal valve and colon. For goats and sheep liver can also be submitted. Submit fixed in neutral buffered formalin at a 10:1 ratio of formalin:tissue

High Throughput Johnes PCR Test Information

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
JD_HTJ	Johne's High throughput PCR (HTJ PCR) (<5 samples, >60 samples)*	Faeces (70ml yellow top container)- 1. Individual testing: Collect half (minimum) to two-thirds (maximum) 2. Pooled testing: Cattle only - collect as per individual and pooling will be completed in the laboratory (5 animals per pool) Sheep - collect one pellet from each animal (up to 50 per pool) General requirements Store samples chilled (4°C) prior to transit and submit chilled (4°C). Testing will not proceed if samples are not received chilled. Samples should be received at the laboratory within 48 hours of collection. A pooling charge will apply for HTJ testing.	Bovine, Ovine	6W ^Express testing available. Additional fees apply. Contact Customer Services.	Contact Customer Service for a Quote	* 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. Note: If this testing is required for EXPORT PURPOSES, please provide the export protocol/dispensation documentation and provide the number of samples arriving, the date of arrival, the testing required (Individual or pooled) and when you require the results back by.	As required
JD_HTJ	Johne's High throughput PCR (HTJ PCR) (5-60 samples)*	Faeces (70ml yellow top container)- 1. Individual testing: Collect half (minimum) to two-thirds (maximum) 2. Pooled testing: Cattle only - collect as per individual and pooling will be completed in the laboratory (5 animals per pool) Sheep - collect one pellet from each animal (up to 50 per pool) General requirements Store samples chilled (4°C) prior to transit and submit chilled (4°C). Testing will not proceed if samples are not received chilled. Samples should be received at the laboratory within 48 hours of collection. A pooling charge will apply for HTJ testing.	Bovine, Ovine	6W ^Express testing available. Additional fees apply. Contact Customer Services.	$105.85	* 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. Note: If this testing is required for EXPORT PURPOSES, please provide the export protocol/dispensation documentation and provide the number of samples arriving, the date of arrival, the testing required (Individual or pooled) and when you require the results back by.	As required
HTJPF	Johne's High throughput Pooling Fee (per pool)	N/A	Bovine, Ovine	N/A	$41.05	This is the pooling fee associated with Johne's High Throughput PCR pooled testing (charge per pool)	N/A

Code

Name

Samples required

Species

Turnaround time

Price (excl. GST)

Notes

Test days

JD_HTJ

Johne's High throughput PCR (HTJ PCR) (<5 samples, >60 samples)*

Faeces (70ml yellow top container)-

1. Individual testing: Collect half (minimum) to two-thirds (maximum)

2. Pooled testing:

Cattle only - collect as per individual and pooling will be completed in the laboratory (5 animals per pool)
Sheep - collect one pellet from each animal (up to 50 per pool)

General requirements

Store samples chilled (4°C) prior to transit and submit chilled (4°C).
Testing will not proceed if samples are not received chilled.
Samples should be received at the laboratory within 48 hours of collection.
A pooling charge will apply for HTJ testing.

Bovine, Ovine

6W**

^**Express testing available. Additional fees apply. Contact Customer Services.

Contact Customer Service for a Quote

* 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.

Note: If this testing is required for EXPORT PURPOSES, please provide the export protocol/dispensation documentation and provide the number of samples arriving, the date of arrival, the testing required (Individual or pooled) and when you require the results back by.

As required

JD_HTJ

Johne's High throughput PCR (HTJ PCR) (5-60 samples)*

Faeces (70ml yellow top container)-

1. Individual testing: Collect half (minimum) to two-thirds (maximum)

2. Pooled testing:

Cattle only - collect as per individual and pooling will be completed in the laboratory (5 animals per pool)
Sheep - collect one pellet from each animal (up to 50 per pool)

General requirements

Store samples chilled (4°C) prior to transit and submit chilled (4°C).
Testing will not proceed if samples are not received chilled.
Samples should be received at the laboratory within 48 hours of collection.
A pooling charge will apply for HTJ testing.

Bovine, Ovine

6W**

^**Express testing available. Additional fees apply. Contact Customer Services.

$105.85

* 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.

As required

HTJPF

Johne's High throughput Pooling Fee (per pool)

N/A

Bovine, Ovine

N/A

$41.05

This is the pooling fee associated with Johne's High Throughput PCR pooled testing (charge per pool)

N/A

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