Chronic Wasting Disease – 2 Tissues (ELISA)

Detection of abnormal prion protein, the suspected causative agent of chronic wasting disease (CWD), by ELISA. This test is for both the retropharyngeal lymph node AND obex.

Fresh or frozen retropharyngeal lymph node and/or obex

Entire head/brain may be submitted and will incur additional charges for specimen collection and disposal.

Sealed, leak-proof plastic bag or container or Whirl-Pak.

Clearly label all samples and paperwork with unique animal IDs. Ship overnight on cold packs Monday through Wednesday (for delivery Tuesday through Thursday).

Submissions containing both retropharyngeal lymph nodes and obex will have only the lymph nodes tested unless otherwise specified (e.g. for TAHC herd certification program). 

If entire heads are submitted, the laboratory will collect obex and retropharyngeal lymph nodes for an additional charge of $23.00 per animal; a $23.00 animal head disposal fee will also apply. 

Include the TWIMS submission form which can be accessed through your Texas Parks and Wildlife Department TWIMS account.

This is a test for a disease agent regulated by the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) and/or the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS). Samples, documentation, and testing may be subject to additional requirements or restrictions as determined by TAHC or USDA APHIS.