Equine rhinopneumonitis

Description

Upper respiratory tract infections can be caused by both equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) and equine herpesvirus type 4 (EHV-4) with the latter more common. Clinical signs vary from sub-clinical to severe disease characterized by fever, lethargy, anorexia, nasal discharge, and cough.

While EHV-1 infections may also result in late term abortion, stillbirth, the birth of weak foals that die shortly after parturition, or neurological disease. EHV-4 typically only causes acute respiratory disease in foals greater than two months, weanlings and yearlings.

Diagnosis and tests available

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is based on clinical signs, virology and histopathology.

Tests available

Test	Sample(s) required	Days of the week test is conducted	Turnaround time¹
Histopathology	Fixed tissue	Monday - Friday	Up to 5 days
Equine herpesvirus type 1 Real Time PCR	Swab in PBGS (preferred) or EDTA blood (purple top tube)	According to demand	2-3 working days
Equine herpesvirus type 4 Real Time PCR	Swab in PBGS (preferred) or EDTA blood (purple top tube)	According to demand	2-3 working days
Equine herpesvirus type 1 VNT	Clotted blood (red top tube)	Batch tested on Thursday	1-2 weeks

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

Note

EHV1 and EHV4 may be detected by PCR in leukocytes early in the course of an infection.

Additional Information

Specimen requirements

Blood (without anti-coagulant)
10 ml of blood collected into a plain red top tube. Acute and convalescent samples collected 2-3 weeks apart are required for confirmation of recent infection. (Acute samples should ideally be collected within the first 3-4 days of observable disease) Submit chilled
Fixed tissue
Liver and lung Submit fixed in neutral buffered formalin at a 10:1 ratio of formalin: tissue
Swab
Nasal/nasopharyngeal swabs are the preferred sample type for the diagnosis of equine rhinopneumonitis Send in viral transport media (PGBS)

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
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

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	Delivery Address
Animal (including aquatic animals)	NSW Animal and Plant Health Laboratories (APHL)	EMAI, Woodbridge Road, Menangle NSW 2568