Specimen information
PRRSV testing is most often performed on the following specimen types:
- Semen - Submit 1-1.5 milliliter (ml) of raw semen without the gel fraction or serum. Please submit semen in plastic tubes with a securely closing cap. Small centrifuge tubes or 5 ml "snap-cap" tubes are fine (caps must be snapped down twice in order to prevent leakage).
- Serum - Submit at least .5 ml of serum. Submit an extra ml of serum if you anticipate PRRSV sequencing. Samples can be submitted in "red-top" tubes (with or without the gel-separator). 6 ml serum tubes are preferred. Please do not use larger tubes to submit serum samples.
- Blood Swabs - Preferably, samples should be submitted in GeneMate 2.0 ml natural graduated microcentrifuge tubes (Catalog C3270-1). To order these tubes, call ISC Bioexpress at 1-800-999-2901.
Do not fill sample tubes to the top. Overfilled tubes may expand during freezing or shipment, resulting in lost sample and cross contamination of other samples in the shipment.
Sample tubes and their shipping container should be clean on the outside (i.e. no fecal material, blood, dirt, etc.) Dirty sample containers compromise our ability to prevent contamination of other samples and various components of the lab.
Turnaround time
All semen samples are tested with same day service. Samples received by noon will have results available the same evening, usually between 7 and 8 p.m. Semen samples should be shipped by overnight delivery. Samples sent by UPS or FedEx are delivered to the lab before noon. Semen samples delivered by courier need to arrive before noon on Monday-Thursday and 1 p.m. on Fridays in order to receive results that day. If you predict your samples will arrive late, please call VDL (612-625-8787) or Dr. Rossow (612-625-7043) to inform us of the delay. We will attempt to work with late samples, but need to know about them in advance. Semen samples received on the day preceding holidays are tested as usual with the exception of Monday holidays.
Serum and blood swab samples are tested with next day service. Samples received Monday-Thursday will have results the following afternoon. Samples received Friday will have results Monday afternoon. We do make exceptions for some cases and can usually accommodate "rush testing" by running them with the semen. "Rush" serum or blood swab cases need to be confirmed by calling the diagnostic lab at (612)625-8787 or e-mailing [email protected]. Semen cases have priority over serum and blood swab.
Packing and shipping
- Label sample tubes with sequential numbers (1, 2, 3, etc.) to help us sort and organize the samples. Individual ID's can also be included on the tube or paperwork.
- Please do not tape tubes together for shipment. Pulling the tape off commonly removes ID's written on the submission tubes.
- Group samples for one case/owner in one bag if there is more than one case per container. Make sure bags and paperwork are properly identified. Clearly indicate pooling instructions on the paperwork. We will not pool more than 5 semen or serum samples per test. Also, if results are to be monitored on our website by others, write the "affiliation" code(s) on the paperwork. If you are unsure of the affiliation codes, please contact the lab.
- Samples should be shipped with frozen gel packs to maintain sample quality. Include enough packs to keep the samples cold, remembering that overnight shipments can be routed through warmer climates and may sit in hot storage areas.
- Current regulations require samples to be shipped in rigid containers. A cardboard box over a styrofoam cooler or two styrofoam coolers is sufficient. Samples in the box need to be in a plastic bag. The exterior of the box also needs to be marked "Diagnostic Specimen". Samples delivered by courier should be transported in a styrofoam box with frozen gel packs.
Results reporting
Results are reported online. If you have already registered for online results access, click here to log in. If you wish to register for this service, please contact the lab. If you would like your results faxed, please indicate the fax number(s) on the submission form.
Further information
Please contact Dr. Rossow at 612-625-7043 or [email protected] if you have any questions about PCR testing or sample shipment.