Avian Molecular Testing (PCR)

Species:

Avian

Specimen:

Chlamydia psittaci PCR*

  • Dry swab from cloaca, respiratory tract or conjunctiva

Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease PCR*

  • Blood or blood feathers

Polyoma virus PCR*

  • Blood, blood spot or blood feathers

Marek's disease PCR

  • Blood feathers, fresh liver, fresh spleen

Avian Sexing

  • Blood spot on filter paper or blood feathers

Avian Infectious Bronchitis Virus (IBV)

  • Viral swab in PBS media. Please phone the laboratory before submission

Avian Infectious Laryngotracheitis Virus (ILT)

  • Dry swab for PCR only (viral swab in PBS media if typing required)

Mycobacterium spp PCR

  • Dry swab of lesions or cloaca, fresh tissue, fixed tissue, paraffin-embedded tissue

* Tests can be requested individually or as part of the Avian PCR Panel (1, 2, or 3 organisms)

Container:

Plain yellow-top container (blood feathers, swabs, two blood spots on filter paper, fresh tissue)

Lithium heparin or EDTA (Blood)

Collection protocol:

Blood feather - Pluck two blood feathers ensuring there is blood present within the feather quill. Select feathers that are grossly abnormal if PBFDV is supected.

Blood spots - Place a drop of blood on to filter or blotting paper and allow to dry. Blood spots must be at least 6 mm diameter.

Dry swabs - rub the swab firmly over the mucosa (cloacal, conjunctival, oropharygeal) to ensure sufficient cells are collected.