Abortion investigation
Abortion investigation requires a range of tests, specific for the disease agents most commonly associated with production animals. For the best diagnostic outcome, please discuss a diagnostic plan with the duty pathologist by contacting Customer Service.
Abortion in cattle
Description
Generally, in more than 60% of cases investigated for abortion, the underlying cause is attributed to an unidentified genetic or environmental factor including congenital abnormalities, stress, twinning and toxic factors.
Common infectious causes of abortion in New South Wales are bacterial infections (Campylobacter, Leptospira, Salmonella, Listeria, miscellaneous bacteria), viral (Pestivirus), protozoal (Neospora) or fungal (Aspergillus, Mortierella) infections. These agents may affect the dam or the foetus. Viral infections (Pestivirus, Akabane) may cause congenital abnormalities. Clinical signs may be minimal. Necropsy findings vary with no visible abnormalities to wide range of pathological abnormalities.
Diagnosis and tests available
Diagnosis
For the best diagnostic outcome, please discuss a diagnostic plan with the duty pathologist.
Tests available
Test | Sample(s) required | Days of the week test is conducted | Turnaround time1 |
|---|---|---|---|
Akabane ELISA | Clotted blood (red top tube) | Batch tested weekly | Up to 7 days |
Bacterial culture (routine) | Fresh tissue or post mortem swab/sample | Monday – Saturday2 | 5 days |
Bacterial culture (selective) | Fresh tissue or post mortem swab/sample | Monday – Saturday2 | 7 days |
Histopathology examination | Fixed tissue | Monday – Friday | Up to 5 days |
IgG AGID | Clotted blood (red top tube) or foetal fluid | Batch tested weekly | Up to 7-10 day |
Leptospirosis MAT | Clotted blood (red top tube) or foetal fluid | Wednesday & Friday | Up to 5 days |
Necropsy examination | Aborted foetus and placenta | Monday – Saturday2 | Same day |
Neospora ELISA | Clotted blood (red top tube) | Batch tested weekly | Up to 7 day |
Pestivirus AGID | Clotted blood (red top tube), pericardial or pleural fluid | Tuesday & Friday | 3-5 days |
Pestivirus antigen ELISA (PACE) | Clotted blood (red top tube) or fresh tissue | Batch tested 2-3 times weekly | 5-7 days |
Pestivirus PCR | Clotted blood (red top tube), or EDTA blood (purple top tube), bulk milk, fresh tissue or swab | According to demand | 2-3 working days |
Toxoplasma latex test | Clotted blood (red top tube) | Monday – Friday | 5 days |
1 Turnaround 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.
Specimen requirements
Aborted foetus
- Whole foetus and foetal membrane
- Submit chilled in an insulated container
Blood (with anti-coagulant)
- Blood from aborting animals and unsuckled neonates
- Submit chilled
- Clearly document each animal and identify which animal aborted on the specimen advice form
Blood (without anti-coagulant)
- 10 ml of blood from aborting animals, unsuckled neonates and from five to ten in-contact animals collected in plain red top tube
- Submit chilled
- Clearly document each animal and identify which animal aborted on the specimen advice form
Foetal fluid
- Pericardial or pleural fluid from foetus or unsuckled calf
- Fresh foetal stomach contents, placenta, liver, lung and spleen
- Submit chilled
- Detecting immunoglobulins in foetal fluids after 120 days of gestation, or in unsuckled neonates, may indicate abortion due to an infectious agent
Fresh tissue
- For pestivirus antigen ELISA (PACE) spleen, lung, lymph node and ear notch are s
- Submit chilled
Milk
- Bulk milk
- Submit chilled
Swab
- Nasal swab collected from affected animal
- Send in viral transport media (PBGS)
Abortion in horses
Description
Common infectious agents responsible for equine abortion include Streptococcus spp., Staphylococcus spp., Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Klebsiella spp., leptospirosis, equine herpesvirus and fungi.
Non-infectious causes may include maternal pyrexia and malnutrition, cord compression abnormalities, endocrine dysfunction, endometrial incompetence and immunological factors.
The diagnosis of abortion in horses can be greatly enhanced by the provision of a clear history and the submission of appropriate samples.
Recent investigations suggest that Chlamydia psittaci could be associated with equine abortion.
Diagnosis and tests available
Diagnosis
For the best diagnostic outcome, please discuss a diagnostic plan with the duty pathologist.
Tests available
Test | Sample(s) required | Days of the week test is conducted | Turnaround time1 |
|---|---|---|---|
Bacterial culture (antibiotic sensitivity) | Fresh tissue or post mortem swab/sample | Monday – Saturday2 | 3 days |
Bacterial culture (routine) | Fresh tissue or post mortem swab/sample | Monday – Saturday2 | 5 days |
Bacterial culture (selective) | Fresh tissue or post mortem swab/sample | Monday – Saturday2 | 7 days |
Histopathology examination | Fixed tissue | Monday – Friday | Up to 5 days |
Necropsy examination | Aborted foetus and placenta | Monday – Saturday2 | Same day |
Equine herpesvirus – 1 PCR | Fresh tissue | According to demand | 2-3 working days |
Equine herpesvirus – 4 PCR | Fresh tissue | According to demand | 2-3 working days |
1 Turnaround 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.
Specimen requirements
Aborted foetus
- Whole foetus and foetal membrane
- Submit chilled in an insulated container
Blood (without anti-coagulant)
- 10 ml of blood from aborting animals into an EDTA tube
- Submit chilled
Fresh tissue
- Placenta, liver, adrenal gland, heart, lung, kidney, brain, spleen and stomach contents
- Submit chilled
- Pericardial, thoracic or peritoneal fluid and heart blood from foetus
- Submit chilled
Abortion in pigs
Description
Common causes of abortion in swine in New South Wales include leptospirosis, streptococcal infections and toxaemic conditions in the sow. Other possible causes include genetic factors, oestrogenic feeds, bacteria diseases (Erysipelas), viruses (encephalomyocarditis (EMC) virus, porcine parvovirus, porcine circovirus (PCV2), Bungowannah virus) and vitamin A deficiency.
Abortion should be differentiated from parturient and immediate post parturient deaths due to hypoxia and managerial factors such as injury or stress, smothering, high or low ambient temperatures. Parvovirus infection causes foetal mummification and parturient deaths; it does not normally cause abortion.
Detection of immunoglobulins in foetal fluids after 70 days of gestation may indicate abortion due to infectious agent.
Diagnosis and tests available
Diagnosis
For the best diagnostic outcome, please discuss a diagnostic plan with the duty pathologist.
Tests available
Test | Sample(s) required | Days of the week test is conducted | Turnaround time1 |
|---|---|---|---|
Bacterial culture (antibiotic sensitivity) | Fresh tissue or post mortem swab/sample | Monday – Saturday2 | 3 days |
Bacterial culture (routine) | Fresh tissue or post mortem swab/sample | Monday – Saturday2 | 5 days |
Bacterial culture (selective) | Fresh tissue or post mortem swab/sample | Monday – Saturday2 | 7 days |
Bungowannah virus PCR | Fresh tissue | According to demand | Up to 1 week |
Encephalomyocarditis virus isolation | Clotted bood (red top tube) | According to demand | 2-3 working days |
Encephalomyocarditis VNT | Clotted blood (red top tube) | Batch tested Wednesday & Friday | 1-2 weeks |
Histopathology examination | Fixed tissue | Monday – Friday | Up to 5 days |
Leptospirosis dark field microscopy and smear (preparation and examination) | Foetal fluid | Monday – Friday | 1 day |
Leptospiosis MAT | Clotted blood (red top tube) | Wednesday & Friday | Up to 5 days |
Necropsy examination | Aborted foetus and placenta | Monday – Saturday2 | Same day |
Porcine cirovirus 2 PCR | Fresh tissue | According to demand | 2-3 working days |
Porcine IgG AGID | Foetal fluid | According to demand | 7-10 days |
Porcine parvovirus PCR | Fresh tissue | According to demand | 2-3 working days |
1 Turnaround 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.
Specimen requirements
Aborted foetus
- Whole foetus and foetal membrane
- Submit chilled in an insulated container
Blood (with anti-coagulant)
- 10 ml of blood from aborting animals collected into a plain red top tube
- Submit chilled
Blood (without anti-coagulant)
- 10 ml of blood from aborting animals collected into an EDTA tube
- Submit chilled
Fresh tissue
- Placenta, liver, heart, lung, kidney, brain, spleen, pericardial/pleural fluid and stomach contents
- Submit chilled
Abortion in sheep and goats
Description
Common causes in New South Wales include toxoplasmosis, campylobacteriosis, listeriosis , brucellosis, Border disease, Akabane virus and pasteurellosis. Other causes include chlamydiosis and conditions causing clinical illness in the ewe or doe, e.g. salmonellosis, hypocalcaemia, pregnancy toxaemia, septicaemia. Habitual abortion can occur in Angora does.
Diagnosis and tests available
Diagnosis
For the best diagnostic outcome, please discuss a diagnostic plan with the duty pathologist.
Tests available
Test | Sample(s) required | Days of the week test is conducted | Turnaround time1 |
|---|---|---|---|
Akabane ELISA | Clotted blood (red top tube) | Batch tested weekly | Up to 7 days3 |
Akabane VNT | Clotted blood (red top tube) | Batch tested on Thursday | 1-2 weeks |
Bacterial culture (antibiotic sensitivity) | Fresh tissue or post mortem swab/sample | Monday – Saturday2 | 3 days |
Bacterial culture (routine) | Fresh tissue or post mortem swab/sample | Monday – Saturday2 | 5 days |
Bacterial culture (selective) | Fresh tissue or post mortem swab/sample | Monday – Saturday2 | 7 days |
Histopathology examination | Fixed tissue | Monday – Friday | Up to 5 days |
Leptospirosis MAT | Clotted blood (red top tube) | Wednesday & Friday | Up to 5 days |
Necropsy examination | Aborted foetus and placenta | Monday – Saturday2 | Same day |
Pestivirus AGID | Clotted blood (red top tube), or foetal fluid | Tuesday & Friday | 3-5 days |
Pestivirus antigen ELISA (PACE) | Clotted blood (red top tube), lithium heparin blood (green top tube), EDTA blood (purple top tube) or fresh tissue | Batch tested 2-3 times weekly | 5-7 days |
Pestivirus PCR | Clotted blood (red top tube), or EDTA blood (purple top tube) or fresh tissue | According to demand | 2-3 working days |
Toxoplasma latex test | Clotted blood (red top tube) | Monday – Friday | 5 days |
1 Turnaround 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 Confirmatory testing may affect turnaround time.
Specimen requirements
Aborted foetus
- Whole foetus and foetal membrane
- Submit chilled in an insulated container
Blood (with anti-coagulant)
- 10 ml of blood from aborting animals and unsuckled neonates
- Collected in plain red top tube
- Submit chilled
- Clearly document each animal and identify which animal aborted on the specimen advice form
Blood (without anti-coagulant)
- 10 ml of blood from aborting animals, unsuckled neonates and from five to ten in-contact animals
- Collected in plain red top tube
- Submit chilled
- Clearly document each animal and identify which animal aborted on the specimen advice form
Foetal fluids
- Fresh foetal stomach contents
- Submit chilled
- Pericardial or pleural fluid from foetus or unsuckled lamb/kid
- Submit chilled
Fresh tissue
- Fresh placenta, liver, heart, lung, kidney, brain, spleen
- Submit chilled
Additional Information
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 | |
|---|---|
| Phone | 1800 675 623 |
| 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 |
