Equine infectious anaemia

Description

Equine infectious anaemia (EIA) is a bloodborne disease caused by a horse specific lentivirus in the retrovirus family. It is transmitted by insects (horseflies, deer flies and stable flies).

EIA can manifest as an asymptomatic infection or as an acute or chronic disease. Acute signs may range from transient inappetance and mild thrombocytopaenia that may go undetected, to marked fever, weakness, severe anaemia, jaundice, tachypnoea and petechial haemorrhages of mucosae. Noticeable chronic signs include recurring bouts of fever accompanied with anaemia, marked thrombocytopaenia, depression, weight loss and dependent oedema.

There is no treatment or vaccine available for EIA. Iatrogenic infection is prevented via good hygiene and disinfection practices involving needles, syringes and equipment.

EIA was first noted in Australia in 1959 and is endemic along the inland rivers of central and western Queensland. The disease is rare in other parts of Australia and has never been reported in Tasmania or South Australia.

Diagnosis and tests available

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is supported by clinical signs. haematology, serology and histopathology. A positive AGID is conclusive evidence of EIA, however the AGID may occasionally be negative early in the disease course.

Tests available

Test

Sample(s) required

Days of the week test is conducted

Turnaround time1

Equine infectious anaemia virus antibody AGID

Clotted blood (red top tube)

Wednesday & Friday3

Up to 7D2

Histopathology examination

Fixed tissue

Monday – Friday3

Up to 5 days

1 Turnaround times are provided as a guide only. For specific information about your submission please contact Customer Service.
2 Confirmatory testing may affect turnaround time.

3 With the exception of Public Holidays- Please contact Customer Service to confirm submission and reporting dates around public holidays.

Additional Information

Specimen requirements

Blood (without anti-coagulant)
  • 10 ml of blood (including at least 2ml of serum) collected into a plain red top tube
    • Submit chilled
Fixed tissue
  • Liver, kidney, spleen and lymph nodes
    • Submit fixed in neutral buffered formalin at a10:1 ratio of formalin: tissue

Customer Service

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

NSW DPI'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

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