Detection of antibodies to West Nile virus using the plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT). This test is used to assess vaccine titers in horses or to test non-equine species for antibodies to West Nile virus.
Mammals: fresh brain, spinal cord, or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
Avian: EDTA whole blood, 1g fresh tissue (liver, spleen, kidney, bone marrow, brain, heart), oral or cloacal swabs (preferably with a few drops of transport media or saline). Note that oral swabs may not be appropriate for all bird species such as raptors.
Detection of IgM antibodies to West Nile virus in equine serum by IgM-capture ELISA. This test is used to assess recent exposure to West Nile virus in clinically ill equines.
Measurement of zinc by inductively-coupled plasma/mass spectrometry. A $10.75 sample preparation fee will be added to tissue and feed specimens.
Specimen
One or more of the following:
1 mL serum or plasma
5 g fresh liver
50 mg fresh liver biopsy (at least 3 Tru-Cut samples, no fluid added)
500 g feed
For birds, 0.3 mL serum or plasma 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.