Microbiology

Samples should be taken:

from living or recently dead animals,
from the affected site(s) as early as possible following the onset of clinical signs,
from the edge of the lesion and include some macroscopically normal tissue,
as aseptically as possible,
before the administration of any form of treatment.

All specimens should be accompanied by a complete case history including a tentative diagnosis.

AHL Laboratory Submission form (PDF 183Kb)

Microbiology Tests	Sample Type	Minimum Sample Required	Conditions / Comments
Routine Culture	Tissue	4 cm³	separate sterile containers
	Swab		taken from the active margin of the lesion and submitted in transport medium
	Faeces	10 g	in a leak proof container
	Urine	10 ml	mid-stream (preferred) urine collected aseptically into a sterile container
	Hair/Wool		hair plucked from the active margin of a lesion and deep skin scraping in a sterile container
Mastitis culture and antimicrobial sensitivity	Milk	10 ml	fresh, aseptically collected milk samples stored between 2 and 8°C. Freeze sample if delayed for more than 48 hours. For details - www.dairyaustralia.com.au Note: Mycoplasma bovis testing is now undertaken in the Molecular Biology laboratory by direct PCR
Abortion investigation from tissues	Foetal abomasal fluid, lung and placenta		separate sterile containers
Footrot	Swab of lesion Note: whole feet may also be submitted	6 samples per mob AHL LabFact Footrot - Collection of Samples (PDF 84Kb)	Samples in footrot transport medium (available from AHL) Do Not refrigerate https://nre.tas.gov.au/biosecurity-tasmania/animal-biosecurity/animal-health/sheep/lameness-in-sheep-and-goats
Johne's disease faecal culture	Faeces	10 g	in a leak proof container (This test is not conducted at the AHL - samples are sent to another laboratory.) https://nre.tas.gov.au/biosecurity-tasmania/animal-biosecurity/animal-health/sheep/ovine-johnes-disease
Johne's disease pooled faecal culture	Pooled faeces from a maximum of 50 sheep from mob	1 pellet per animal	Contact the laboratory for sample collection instructions. (This test is not conducted at the AHL - samples are sent to another laboratory)
Infertility Investigation	Bovine preputial washing / vaginal mucous	AHL LabFact Bovine Infertility Investigation (PDF 185Kb)	Please contact the laboratory for sample equipment and reagents.
Salmonella serotyping	isolate	On request, an isolated Salmonella sp. can be forwarded to a reference laboratory for serotyping and/or phage typing	Surcharges will apply. Please contact the laboratory for costings.
Semen Analysis	Semen		collect into a sterile container
Bee diseases (AFB, EFB and Chalk Brood)	Brood Comb Honey for AFB	Affected brood comb with dead larvae 50 ml AHL LabFact Honey Brood Comb submissions (PDF 150Kb)	Store at room temperature

Contact

Animal Health Laboratory - Specimen Reception

(Postal) PO Box 46,
KINGS MEADOWS TAS 7249,
(Delivery) 165 Westbury Road,
PROSPECT, TAS, 7250.

Phone: 03 6777 2111

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.nre.tas.gov.au/AHLabs