Enzootic bovine leukosis (cattle)

Description

Enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL) is caused by the retrovirus, bovine leukaemia virus (BLV), which is transmitted horizontally through contact with body fluids containing infected cells, principally blood and milk. Transmission from dam to calf via ingestion of infected milk is the principal route of infection although it has also been associated with natural breeding and veterinary procedures such as rectal palpation, contaminated needles and de-horning equipment.  Congenital transmission also occurs but is less important.  Like other retroviral infections, once established, is lifelong and characterised by the development of circulating antibody, which is also present throughout life.  Affected animals usually develop antibody within 2-3 months of infection. The virus has been eliminated from dairy herds in Australia, but beef cattle may remain infected at a very low prevalence.

Less than 3% of infected animals develop malignant disease.  The peak incidence of disease is in mature cattle, 6 - 8 years old.  Some infected animals have a fluctuating lymphocytosis of moderate degree.  The most common presentation is an enlarged lymph node due to lymphoma.  Any nodes may be affected, e.g. retrobulbar (causing eye protrusion), or pharyngeal (causing stertorous respiration). Lymphoma can involve almost any organ.

Confirmation of lymphoma alone does not confirm EBL, since cattle may also be affected by sporadic forms of lymphoma, not associated with bovine leukaemia virus. Three sporadic forms of lymphoma are described:  The calf type (usually develops in the first six months of life), the thymic type (in yearlings) and the skin type (most often in two year old cattle).

Diagnosis and tests available

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is usually based on confirmation of both lymphoma and bovine leukaemia virus infection.

Tests available

Test

Sample(s) required

Days of the week test is conducted

Turnaround time1

Enzootic bovine leukosis antibody ELISA

Clotted blood (red top tube) or preserved milk

According to demand

Up to 7D

Enzootic bovine leukosis antibody AGID2

Clotted blood (red top tube)According to demand

Up to 7D

Histopathology

Fixed tissue

Monday – Friday

Up to 5 days

1 Turnaround times are provided as a guide only. For specific information about your submission please contact Customer Service.

2 This test is for export purposes only. Please contact Customer Service before submitting samples.

Additional Information

Specimen requirements

Blood (without anti-coagulant)
  • 10 ml of blood (including at least 2 ml of serum) collected in a plain red top tube
    • Submit chilled
Fixed tissue
  • Lymph nodes, spleen, thymus, intestine and other organs showing gross lesions
    • Submit fixed in neutral buffered formalin at a 10:1 ratio of formalin: tissue
Milk
  • Preserved milk
    • Submit chilled

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

Phone1800 675 623
Email

laboratory.services@dpi.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

For Edible oil & oilseed or Feed quality quotations and pricing enquiries, please contact DPI AgEnviro Labs at Wagga Wagga on (02) 6938 1957

For Plant nutrition, Soil health or Water quality quotations and pricing enquiries, please contact DPI AgEnviro Labs at Wollongbar on (02) 6626 1103

Submission Forms

Veterinary Specimen Advice Form

Please Note: These documents are not fully web accessible, please contact Customer Service (laboratory.services@dpi.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 SVDL 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