QX disease of oysters

Description

QX is a seasonally occurring disease of Sydney Rock Oysters (Saccostrea glomerata) known to have caused impacts in a limited number of estuaries in NSW. QX disease is caused by a protozoan parasite (Marteilia sydneyi). This organism has a lifecycle which is thought to involve at least two hosts. The oyster is the host in which the parasite sporulates. Infected oysters show non-specific signs including lack of growth, loss of condition and pale digestive glands on gross inspection.

Diagnosis and tests available

Diagnosis

If you suspect QX disease, please contact Aquatic Biosecurity (Hotline- 1800 675 888) and submit fresh, live oysters to the APHL Laboratory for QX exclusion.

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
QX_PCR	QX Disease - PCR for Marteilia sydneyi*	Oyster Tissue Fresh tissues removed at necropsy of whole oysters or Oyster digestive gland	Aquatic- Oysters	POA	POA	* 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. Please contact Customer Service for pricing and test turnaround time	POA
PM_OYSTER	Post Mortem Oyster (1 batch of 12)	Fresh Oysters Whole oysters. Submit live representative affected oysters, collected from amongst the oysters showing the greatest mortality, in an insulated container with ice or a cool brick.	Aquatic- Oyster	Same Day	$128.30	1 batch of 12 oysters Final selection of the appropriate post mortem type is at the discretion of the pathologist performing the necropsy. Post mortem charges do not include additional diagnostic testing (e.g. bacterial culture, or histopathology). Animals for post mortem examination must be packaged and labelled appropriately, and accompanied by a completed submission form. Contact the laboratory to ensure the correct samples are collected, and further testing is performed as requested. Please contact Customer Service to discuss a diagnostic plan. D (number of working days) and W (number of weeks). Test TAT does not include weekends and public holidays.	According to demand
PM_OYSTER2	Post Mortem Oyster (2 or more batches (12 per batch))	Fresh Oysters Whole oysters Submit live representative affected oysters, collected from amongst the oysters showing the greatest mortality, in an insulated container with ice or a cool brick.	Aquatic- Oyster	Same day	$115.45	2 or more batches of 12 oysters in each Final selection of the appropriate post mortem type is at the discretion of the pathologist performing the necropsy. Post mortem charges do not include additional diagnostic testing (e.g. bacterial culture, or histopathology). Animals for post mortem examination must be packaged and labelled appropriately, and accompanied by a completed submission form. Contact the laboratory to ensure the correct samples are collected, and further testing is performed as requested. Please contact Customer Service to discuss a diagnostic plan. D (number of working days) and W (number of weeks). Test TAT does not include weekends and public holidays.	According to demand

Additional specimen requirements

Fixed tissue for Histopathology
Affected tissue. Submit fixed in neutral buffered formalin at a 10:1 ratio of formalin: tissue.

Additional Information

Further information

QX oyster disease

Customer Service

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

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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