New canine brucellosis testing regulations take effect this month
In support of the Commercial Dog Breeders Act,
veterinarians and veterinary technicians may use a card test to screen canines for the presence of Brucella canis antibodies. Other tests including IFA, tube agglutination test, PCR, or culture may also be used as screening tests. A dog is classified as brucella suspect if it tests positive
for B. canis using at least one of those tests. A serum sample from the suspect dog shall be sent to ADDL for confirmation of its B. canis status. Confirmation testing
can only be performed by ADDL. For detailed information on B. canis testing, please contact the lab or refer to the Commercial Dog Breeders Act.
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza preparedness at ADDL
The ADDL has been actively preparing to ensure laboratory preparedness in response to the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) that began along the Pacific coast in wild and domestic birds in late 2014 and exploded in the Midwest this past spring, killing nearly 50 million birds. As the second largest egg producing state, Ohio has 28 million laying hens and nearly 8 million pullets that are susceptible to HPAI. ADDL is a member of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN). Since January 2015, the lab has used real-time PCR to test approximately 2000 poultry samples from commercial facilities, backyard flocks, and live bird markets to screen for avian influenza.
ADDL’s preparation includes:
- Adapting a USDA form specific to the submission of samples to be tested for HPAI. This form will be available on our website next month.
- The ADDL is expanding the number of trained staff to complete NAHLN proficiency panels for AI testing. This has tripled ADDL’s number of trained staff that can perform the testing in the event of an outbreak. (Four staff members previously passed proficiency tests and were approved to perform the assay; four are in the process to take the PT, and an additional four will be trained to take the PT).
- Training administrative and receiving staff to ensure proper sample handling and efficient communication with producers in the event of an outbreak.
- Preparing to utilize ADDL biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) laboratories to ensure maximum biosecurity. This includes training personnel to use proper personal protective equipment (PPE) and ensuring availability of supplies and equipment.
Test collection kits are available from the laboratory. After sample collection, swabs should be immersed in the BHI broth, swirled, squeezed on the upper inside walls of the tube, and then discarded as biohazard waste. Dry swabs are not accepted. Fill out the USDA Sample Submission Form and ship the specimens on ice using overnight delivery (UPS or FedEx) according to ADDL Virology Shipping Guidelines.
It is imperative for all veterinarians and producers to continue practicing biosecurity measures at poultry operations. If HPAI is suspected on the premises, cloacal and/or tracheal/oropharyngeal swabs submitted by noon can have results by 4:30 pm that same day.
ADDL has several high-throughput real-time PCR instruments, capable of processing more than 1000 HPAI samples per day.
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International efforts to combat antibiotic resistant bacteria
Antimicrobial resistance is considered one of the most serious global health threats to both animals and humans. In March of 2015, the President of the United States released a National Action Plan for Combatting Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria (CARB). This plan calls for collaborative action by the U.S. Government, in partnership with foreign governments, individuals, and organizations to strengthen our resources to address this issue.
On July 13-24, 2014 the Ohio State University hosted a training workshop in Columbus, Ohio, to help establish a Regional Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance program in the Caribbean. The attendees represented 8 Caribbean Countries, including Belize, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Barbados, Republican Dominic, Jamaica, Guyana and Venezuela and include veterinary public health professionals from departments of Agriculture and/or ministries of Health, as well as regulatory officials. The program was sponsored by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and the 10th European Development Fund SPS project.
During this training, ADDL staff members provided presentations and practical “hands-on” demonstrations to participants which focused on surveillance systems for antimicrobial resistance of zoonotic agents associated with foodborne diseases from animals in Ohio and the United States. The ODA Consumer Protection Lab, Divisions of Meat Inspection and Food Safety Division and the Ohio Department of Health Laboratory also provided training and laboratory opportunities. The laboratory exercises gave participants a greater understanding of current techniques in microbiology and epidemiology regarding zoonotic disease surveillance and antimicrobial resistance.
Panel discussions and case studies provided input to attendees about how to implement an integrated national Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring surveillance system for their own country. Attendees shared information and experiences about their countries foodborne disease surveillance programs including success stories, lessons learned and their goals to identify common needs for international cooperation and assistance regarding AMR monitoring.
These international public health and veterinary officials were impressed with the progress Ohio and the US is making and appreciative of the opportunity to learn about how laboratories and regulatory professionals can work together to protect agriculture and the consumers.
On August, 21, 2015 the ADDL documented the first horse
found to be infected with West Nile Virus (WNV) in Ohio this year. The horse, a 1 year
old Standardbred filly in Franklin county showing acute neurologic signs and a
mild fever, had an IgM capture ELISA titer ≥1:400 according to testing
performed at the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL), suggesting
recent exposure to WNV. There were no WNV positive
horses reported by the ADDL in 2014, but periodic cases in the prior 5 years.
CWD voluntary testing program
The Pathology Section annually participates in didactic
lectures and wet lab instruction to veterinarians who join the ODA chronic
wasting disease (CWD) voluntary testing program. This training is usually
conducted in October each year – stay tuned for details for this year’s date.
Contact the ADDL at 614-728-6220 if you are interested in attending this year’s
training.
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