Table 1.
Selected Novel Diagnostic Tests Available for the Exotic Mammal Practitioner
| Test | Laboratory | Contact information | Sample required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aspergillosis Ag-Ab whole blood PCR | University of Miami, Comparative Pathology Laboratory | 1-800-596-7390 | Serum Whole blood |
| Baylisascaris procyonis serology Selected primates only | Purdue University, Parasitology Laboratory | 1-765-494-7556 | Serum; offered for selected primates only |
| Bordetella avium PCR | Veterinary Molecular Diagnostics | 1-513-576-1808 | Respiratory secretions |
| Canine distemper (ferrets) PCR | Michigan State University, Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health | 1-517-353-2296 | Whole blood Lymphoid tissue Nerve tissue |
| Coronavirus (ECE) PCR | Michigan State University, Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health | 1-517-353-2296 | Feces GI biopsy specimens |
| Ferret endocrine panel Ferret insulin levels | University of Tennessee, Clinical Endocrinology Service | 1-865-974-5638 | Serum or plasma |
| Helicobacter sp PCR | Research Associated Laboratory | 1-972-960-2221 | Gastric, colonic swabs |
| Mycobacterium sp PCR | Veterinary Molecular Diagnostics | 1-513-576-1808 | Feces, vent swab, target organ |
| Mycobacterium sp PCR Culture and sensitivity HPLC chromatography | National Jewish Medical and Research Center, Denver, CO | www.njc.org Download acquisition form from reference laboratory link. 1-303-398-1339 | Consult lab for submission instructions |
| Mycobacterium sp PCR Culture | Washington State University, Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory | 1-509-335-9696 | Feces, target tissue |
| Mycobacterium sp PCR | Dr. David Phalen, Texas A&M University | dphalen@cvm.tamu.edu | Fresh frozen tissues |
| Mycoplasma serology Rat respiratory pathogens Multiple rabbit and rodent pathogens: E. Cuniculi Pasteurella multocida | Taconic Anmed | 1-301-762-0366 | Serum |
| Mycoplasma gallisepticum (poultry) PCR | Veterinary Molecular Diagnostic | 1-513-576-1808 | Respiratory swabs |
| Pasteurella sp PCR | Taconic Anmed | 1-301-762-0366 | Tracheal wash, nasal swabs |
| Rotavirus of ferrets PCR | Michigan State University, Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health | 1-517-353-2296 | Feces, intestinal biopsy specimens |
| Salmonella sp PCR | University of Georgia, Infectious Diseases Laboratory | 1-706-542-8092 | Fecal or tissue swab |
| Sarcocystis serology | University of Miami, Comparative Pathology Laboratory | 1-800-596-7390 | Serum |
| Urolith analysis (no charge) | University of Minnesota, Urolith Center | 1-612-625-4221 | Urolith |
| West Nile Virus PCR | Veterinary Molecular Diagnostics | 1-513-576-1808 | Whole blood |
Reprinted with permission from Exotic DVM 7(4) 2005.
Ag-Ab = antigen antibody, PCR = polymerase chain reaction, ECE = epizootic catarrhal enteritis, GI = gastrointestinal, HPLC = high-performance liquid chromatography.