Q Fever

Description

Q Fever is a zoonotic infection caused by Coxiella burnetii. Infections can occur in man as well as ruminants (e.g. abortion in sheep and goats).

Diagnosis and tests available

Diagnosis

Use of histopathology and special stains to see causative organisms in fixed placenta is diagnostic. The complement fixation test is not a reliable test for Q Fever and is used only for export certification.

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
Q_FEV_CF	Q-Fever (Coxiella burnetii) Complement Fixation test (CFT)	Clotted blood (Red top) 10 ml of blood (including at least 2ml of serum) collected into a plain red top tube. Submit chilled.	Caprine, Canine, other species	Up to 5D	$30.15	D (number of working days) and W (number of weeks). Test TAT does not include weekends and public holidays.	Monday to Friday
QFMS_EL_ID	Q-Fever (Coxiella burnetii) Antibody ELISA (Multispecies)*	Clotted blood (Red top) 10 ml of blood (including at least 2ml of serum) collected into a plain red top tube. Submit chilled. Lith Hep (Green top) 10 ml of blood collected into a lithium heparin treated tube. Submitted chilled.	Camelid	Up to 5D	$18.10	* 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
Q_FEV_ABEL	Q-Fever (Coxiella burnetii) Antibody ELISA	Clotted blood (Red top) 10 ml of blood (including at least 2ml of serum) collected into a plain red top tube. Submit chilled. Lith Hep (Green top) 10 ml of blood collected into a lithium heparin treated tube. Submitted chilled.	Bovine, Ovine, Caprine	Up to 5D	$32.65	D (number of working days) and W (number of weeks). Test TAT does not include weekends and public holidays.	Thursday and Friday
QF_IFAT	Q Fever C. burnetti IFAT < 8 samples*	Clotted blood (Red top) 10 ml of blood (including at least 2ml of serum) collected into a plain red top tube. Submit chilled.	Camelid	Up to 5D	Contact Customer Service	* 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
QF_IFAT	Q Fever C. burnetti IFAT (Price Tier A: 9-16 samples)*	Clotted blood (Red top) 10 ml of blood (including at least 2ml of serum) collected into a plain red top tube. Submit chilled.	Camelid	Up to 5D	$77.05	* 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.	Monday to Friday
QF_IFAT	Q Fever C. burnetti IFAT (Price Tier B: 17-32 samples)*	Clotted blood (Red top) 10 ml of blood (including at least 2ml of serum) collected into a plain red top tube. Submit chilled.	Camelid	Up to 5D	$52.60	* 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
QFEV_QPCR	Q-Fever (Coxiella burnetii) PCR*	Tissue Foetus and/or placenta. Submit chilled. Semen Faeces	Bovine, Ovine, Caprine, Equine	Up to 5D	$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.	Monday to Friday

Additional Test Information

Note
Blood samples collected in vacutainer containing separation gel are not suitable for CFT. The high background titres in gel serum samples can result in false positive reactions. Plain tubes are recommended for blood collection.

Additional Specimen Requirements

Histopathology and Special Stains- Fixed Tissues
Range of foetal tissues and placental membranes. Submit fixed in neutral buffered formalin at a 10:1 ratio of formalin: tissue.

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