Detection of antibodies to Rickettsia rickettsii, the causative agent of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, by indirect fluorescent antibody test. Performed at 1:64, 1:128, 1:256, 1:512, 1:1024, and 1:2048 dilutions.
Detection of Rickettsiales species, including Ehrlichia canis, E. chaffeensis, E. ewingii, Rickettsia rickettsii, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum, all by real time PCR.
Measurement of selenium by inductively-coupled plasma/mass spectrometry. A $11.25 sample preparation fee will be added to tissue and feed specimens.
Specimen
One or more of the following:
1 mL EDTA whole blood
5 g fresh liver
50 mg fresh liver biopsy (at least 3 Tru-Cut samples, no fluid added)
2 mL serum or plasma
500 g feed
For birds, 0.6 mL EDTA whole blood is adequate.
Blood, serum, and urine samples are tested on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays with a turnaround time of 7 days. Tissue and feed samples are tested on Mondays and Thursdays with a turnaround time of 10 days.