Scrapie (IHC)

Detection of abnormal prion protein, the suspected causative agent of scrapie, in both retropharyngeal lymph node and obex via immunohistochemical staining.

Antemortem: biopsy of the eyelid or rectal wall in 10% neutral buffered formalin (NBF).Postmortem: retropharyngeal lymph nodes, obex, or entire brain in 10% neutral buffered formalin (NBF). The entire head is also accepted. Certification for export of semen or embryos: the whole body must be submitted for collection and testing of brain, brainstem, spinal cord, palatine tonsils, spleen, mesenteric and retropharyngeal lymph nodes, and distal ileum.  

Fresh obex and retropharyngeal lymph nodes are also accepted. 

Fixed samples: sealed, leak-proof container, wide mouth plastic container. Samples submitted in glass containers are not acceptable and will incur and additional processing charge.  Entire head: chill to refrigeration temperatures before packaging. Wrap in a plastic bag, preferably large zipper lock bags or leak-proof bags securely sealed with packing tape. Place inside second leak-proof plastic bag, with sufficient absorbent material and freezer packs. Place inside third bag and tape shut. Place paperwork in a separate, sealed plastic bag. Whole body: submit within 12 hours of euthanasia. Keep carcass chilled until delivery.

Label all samples. Ship fixed tissue at ambient temperature. Ship fresh tissue overnight on cold packs. Place paperwork and the head in a shipping container. The outer container should be insulated and crush-proof. Large plastic picnic coolers are ideal and do not need to be placed inside a cardboard box for shipping. Cardboard boxes without rigid coolers are not appropriate as condensation will deteriorate the box during shipping. 

If entire heads are submitted, TVMDL will collect obex and retropharyngeal lymph nodes for an additional charge of $21.50 per animal; a $21.50 disposal fee will also apply. If the whole body is submitted, TVMDL will collect the brain, brainstem (obex), spinal cord, palatine tonsils, spleen, mesenteric and retropharyngeal lymph nodes, and distal ileum for export testing or the brainstem (obex) and retropharyngeal lymph nodes for routine testing. These cases will incur a $21.50 per animal for tissue collection and $54.00 for carcass/tissue disposal. Export cases will incur additional $48.50 for the additional IHC slide required. 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.