Campylobacteriosis (cattle)

• Vaginal mucus collected from affected cows and submitted chilled in transport media (PBST).
• PBST is available from the laboratory upon request.
• IMPORTANT – Unlike other sampling options, vaginal mucus in PBST should be submitted chilled.

• Label the inoculated containers clearly with the Animal IDs. If you are sampling large numbers of animals it is best to label the specimens sequentially starting at 1, and use a keylist to identify the animals.
• Submit in an esky with ice brick/s, complying with IATA biological substances transport requirements. Samples should be packaged so they are protected from extreme heat. Samples should be maintained at 4^oc while in transit
• Schedule shipments to avoid weekend and holiday delivery of samples to the laboratory. The laboratory should receive the samples within 72 hours after collection (delivery of samples within 24 hours of collection is preferred) Include the date of collection on the submission form.
• Please refer to the Diagnosis of Bovine Venereal Campylobacteriosis (Vibriosis) by ELISA guide for further information.

In a herd situation, demonstration of antibody in vaginal mucus is the preferred method of diagnosis as it can be difficult to recover the organism from the prepuce. Collect at least ten samples from infertile heifers or cows for representative sampling of a herd.

It is best to sample when pregnancy testing reveals infertility. Testing for antibodies after calving may be unreliable, due to the extended interval from the time of infection.

Cows which have aborted can be sampled for Campylobacter ELISA from one week to three months after abortion.

• Preputial wash or scrapings from bulls or vaginal samples from cows submitted at room temperature in Campylobacter Enrichment Transport Medium (CETM).
• Collect samples as per the Sample Collection Guideline for Bulls and Cows
• CETM and phosphate buffered saline (PBS) is available from the laboratory upon request*.
• IMPORTANT - Do not submit chilled as organisms are sensitive to the cold

• Label all samples with the date of collection and official animal identification, making sure the keylist is also included.
• Media must be removed from the fridge and left for 30 minutes at room temperature or until it reaches ambient temperature (20-35°C) prior to use.
• Collected samples in CETM should be stored and forwarded to the laboratory at room temperature (20-35°C) while in transit.
• Please submit in an esky with NO frozen / cooled ice brick or gel packs, complying with IATA biological substances transport requirements. Samples should be packaged so they are protected from extreme heat and cold.
• Schedule shipments to avoid weekend and holiday delivery of samples to the laboratory. The laboratory should receive the samples within 24 (export animals for breeding) to 48 hours after collection.
• If it is suspected that samples have been exposed to temperatures outside of the optimal range of 20^oc to 35^oc, then it is likely that the target pathogen is no longer viable, and therefore the integrity of the test results are compromised. The laboratory reserves the right not to test these samples (link to T&Cs)

C. fetus subsp. venerealis is most successfully isolated from aborted foetuses submitted to the laboratory, because the organism is not exposed to normal atmospheric conditions, and where samples can be collected without contamination and then directly cultured under microaerophilic conditions.

• Foetal stomach contents, collected in a sterile container, must be delivered within 6 hours of collection, otherwise it must be transported in Campylobacter Enrichment Transport Medium (CETM).
• CETM is available from the laboratory upon request*.
• IMPORTANT - Do not submit chilled as organisms are sensitive to the cold.

• Label all samples with the date of collection and official animal identification, making sure the key-list is also included.
• Samples should be packaged so they are protected from extreme heat and cold, and maintained at room temperature (18 – 37^oc) while in transit.
• Please submit in an esky with NO ice bricks or gel packs. Please contact the laboratory to discuss the best way to submit samples during hot weather conditions.
• Packing should comply with IATA biological substances transport requirements.
• Samples of ‘export animals for breeding’ should be received by the laboratory within 24 hours of sampling
• Schedule shipments to avoid weekend and holiday delivery of samples to the laboratory. The laboratory should receive all other samples within 24 to 48 hours after collection.
• If it is suspected that samples have been exposed to temperatures outside of the optimal range of 5^oc to 37^oc, target pathogen viability could have been affected. The laboratory reserves the right not to test these samples (refer to terms and conditions).

Animal (including aquatic animals)

EMAI, Woodbridge Road, Menangle NSW 2568