Blue-green algal poisoning

Description

Potentially toxic cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, may form dense blooms in fresh water bodies. This may be seen as a thick green coat or scum within the upper water layer and surface. Blooms are mainly a problem in late summer and autumn. They are associated with nutrient over-enrichment due to factors such as animals defecating and urinating in the water or fertiliser run-off. Many blooms are not toxic, but all should be considered potentially so. A range of cyanobacterial genera and species have been described including Microcystis aeruginosa and Anabaena circinalis. Different cyanobacteria may produce hepatoxins and/or neurotoxins.

Affected animals may be found dead. Clinical signs due to neurotoxins may include: muscle tremor, staggering, salivation, hyperaesthesia, diarrhoea and recumbency. Clinical signs due to hepatotoxins may include: anorexia, dehydration, jaundice, hypersensitivity or stupor, photosensitivity and recumbency.

Diagnosis and tests available

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is based on the visible presence of an algal bloom in animals’ drinking water confirmed by microscopic examination for blue green algae.

Test available

Click on + in the tables below for sampling requirements and additional test information

	Code	Name	Samples required	Species	Turnaround time	Price (excl. GST)	Notes	Test days
	TOXICALGAE	Blue-green algae – microscopic examination	Water and Scum 100 ml Submit chilled in a leak proof container	Contact Customer Service	POA	Contact Customer Service	External test	THIS TEST IS CURRENTLY OUTSOURCED
	HIST_HE1	Histopathology – Preparation & Examination	Fixed Tissues- General Fresh tissues immediately placed in formalin Tissue pieces should not be greater than 1cm cubed to ensure proper fixation Submit fixed in neutral buffered formalin at a 10:1 ratio of formalin: tissue Fixed Tissues- Nervous tissues Submission of whole brain is required to ensure preservation of TSE target sites submit fixed in neutral buffered formalin at a ratio of 10:1 formalin: tissue Brains submitted for Nervous tissues are processed once a week, separate to general tissues to ensure consistent and reliable results. Urgent cases can be processed out of cycle if clearly marked on the Submission Form however this may reduce the quality of the brain histology results, so should only be requested in extremely urgent cases. Fresh Tissues Fresh tissues can be submitted following necropsy The quality of the tissues will be reduced due to the effects of autolysis so ideally fixed tissue should be submitted in neutral buffered formalin at a ratio of 10:1 formalin: tissue	All species	Up to 10D	$78.65	D (number of working days) and W (number of weeks). Test TAT does not include weekends and public holidays.	Monday - Friday

Code

Name

Samples required

Species

Turnaround time

Price (excl. GST)

Notes

Test days

TOXICALGAE

Blue-green algae – microscopic examination

Water and Scum

100 ml
Submit chilled in a leak proof container

Contact Customer Service

POA

Contact Customer Service

External test

THIS TEST IS CURRENTLY OUTSOURCED

HIST_HE1

Histopathology – Preparation & Examination

Fixed Tissues- General

Fresh tissues immediately placed in formalin
Tissue pieces should not be greater than 1cm cubed to ensure proper fixation
- Submit fixed in neutral buffered formalin at a 10:1 ratio of formalin: tissue

Fixed Tissues- Nervous tissues

Submission of whole brain is required to ensure preservation of TSE target sites
- submit fixed in neutral buffered formalin at a ratio of 10:1 formalin: tissue
Brains submitted for Nervous tissues are processed once a week, separate to general tissues to ensure consistent and reliable results. Urgent cases can be processed out of cycle if clearly marked on the Submission Form however this may reduce the quality of the brain histology results, so should only be requested in extremely urgent cases.

Fresh Tissues

Fresh tissues can be submitted following necropsy
The quality of the tissues will be reduced due to the effects of autolysis so ideally fixed tissue should be submitted in neutral buffered formalin at a ratio of 10:1 formalin: tissue

All species

Up to 10D

$78.65

D (number of working days) and W (number of weeks). Test TAT does not include weekends and public holidays.

Monday - Friday

Please Note: Additional sample requirements for Histopathology

Fixed tissue
Liver and kidney Submit fixed in neutral buffered formalin at a 10:1 ratio of formalin:tissue

Additional Information

Further information

NSW DPIRD general information on blue-green algae.

Note: Microscopic confirmation of the presence of cyanobacteria indicates the possibility of cyanobacterial poisoning but does not confirm that the bloom is toxic.

Customer Service

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

NSW DPIRD'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
Email	laboratory.services@dpird.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 DPIRD AgEnviro Labs at Wagga Wagga on (02) 6938 1957

For Plant nutrition, Soil health or Water quality quotations and pricing enquiries, please contact DPIRD 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@dpird.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 APHL 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