Strangles

Description

Strangles is an infectious and contagious disease of horses, which is caused by Streptococcus equi subsp. equi. Infected horses are initially pyrexic before exhibiting signs of mucoid to mucopurulent nasal discharge, depression, and abscess formation of submandibular lymph nodes. If the retropharyngeal lymph nodes are involved, horses have difficulty swallowing, inspiratory respiration noise, and extended head and neck.

Diagnosis and tests available

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is based on clinical findings and confirmed by bacterial culture of Streptococcus equi subsp. equi from lesions and PCR.

Tests available

Test

Sample(s) required

Days of the week test is conducted

Turnaround time1

Culture for Streptococcus equi subsp. equi

Pus, or swab in Amies transport media

Monday – Saturday2

Within 48 hours (Monday-Thursday submissions)4

Within 96 hours (Friday submissions)4

Streptococcus equi subsp. equi PCR3

Dry swab, or  culture or agar plate

Monday – Friday

Up to 5 days

1Turnaround times are provided as a guide only. For specific information about your submission please contact Customer Service.
2 Prior approval of delivery and testing on Saturday is required. Please contact Customer Service on 1800 675 623 to seek approval.
3 This test is not NATA accredited.

4Results expected to be finalised within this TAT from the time samples are received in the testing laboratory. Please note this TAT does not include confirmatory testing.

Additional Information

Specimen requirements

Swab
  • Swab collected from lesions and/or upper respiratory tract.
    • Submit chilled in transport media (Amies gel) for culture.
    • Submit chilled dry swab for PCR.
    • N.B Swabs submitted in Amies transport media cannot be used for PCR.

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