STATE-FEDERAL SEROLOGY LABORATORY

Who may submit samples to the laboratory for testing?
Private practitioners may submit samples for both brucellosis and EIA testing. Livestock markets, veterinarians, slaughter facilities and dairies in Illinois may submit samples for brucellosis testing. All samples submitted to the lab must be drawn by licensed, accredited veterinarians.

What kinds of tests do technicians perform?
Brucellosis testing
Brucellosis, a contagious disease affecting the reproductive systems of swine and cattle, can be financially devastating for animal owners. It may cause reduced milk production in dairy cows, abortions in pregnant females and infertility in animals of both sexes. Brucellosis does not contaminate the meat of swine or beef cattle, but it may be transmitted to humans in the form of undulant fever through blood-to-blood contact with infected animals.

To test for brucellosis, lab technicians analyze blood and milk samples. Blood samples are screened using the Buffered Acid Plate test. Positive samples are retested using the Buffered Brucella Card test and then confirmed using the Rivanol Plate test. All results are filed at the state and federal agriculture departments. When an animal tests positive, a state or federal epidemiologist reviews the test results and the history of the herd to determine what action is appropriate.

Milk samples are screened using the Brucellosis Ring test. If an animal's milk tests positive, the entire herd must be blood tested. Positive results are reviewed by Agriculture Department officials, who decide what action to take to prevent spread of the disease.

Equine Infectious Anemia testing
EIA is a serious blood disease that affects members of the equidae species (horses, ponies, mules, asses, donkeys and zebras). There is no treatment for the disease, which is spread by blood- sucking insects or through the use of contaminated hypodermic needles or surgical instruments.

Blood samples submitted for EIA testing are analyzed using the Coggins test. If results indicate an animal is infected, it must be freeze-branded and quarantined, sent to slaughter or euthanized.

How many samples does the laboratory analyze each year?
Technicians annually test about 135,000 samples for brucellosis. About 125,000 of these are blood samples from private practitioners, slaughter facilities, auction markets and problem herds. The remaining 100,000 samples are milk samples submitted by dairies.

Samples submitted for EIA testing have increased significantly since 1995, when Illinois began requiring a negative EIA test within 12 months of an animal's participation in an advertised equine event. More than 50,000 samples were analyzed in 1995, compared to about 9,000 in 1991.

Is there a fee for laboratory services?
Some laboratory services incur a fee. The amount varies with the type of analysis performed.

Does the laboratory offer veterinary care or vaccinations?
No. The serology lab does not provide veterinary care or preventive vaccinations. Animal owners should contact their veterinarians for these services.

For more information about services provided by the serology lab, contact:
Illinois Department of Agriculture
State-Federal Serology Laboratory
P.O. Box 4906
State Fairgrounds
Springfield, IL 62794-9281

217.782.4790
TDD: 217.524.6858
FAX: 217.785.4769