Rabies Antigen Detection (FA)
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| WSLH Department: | CDD - Communicable Disease Division |
| WSLH Test Code: | VR01800 |
| Day(s) Performed: | Routine Testing: Monday - Friday, Emergency Testing (DHS APPROVAL REQUIRED): Saturday |
| Turn-around Time: | Results available the same day for specimens received prior to 1 p.m. Specimens received after 1 p.m. will be tested the next business day. *Factors that can delay the testing of specimens for rabies include: • Testing of large animals (e.g. horses and cows) may be delayed for necropsy to be performed at the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (WVDL) and specimen to be forwarded to WSLH. • Testing of Equines will be delayed 1-3 days for EEE virus testing at WVDL prior to rabies testing. • Testing may be delayed if avian influenza testing has also been requested on a submitted specimen. WSLH will wait for negative avian influenza results before performing rabies testing. |
| Recommended Uses: | Detection of rabies virus in a mammal that has bitten or otherwise exposed a person or domestic animal. |
| Pre-approval: | N |
| Contraindications: | This test is not appropriate for the detection of rabies virus in an exposed animal or human. This test is only suitable for testing mammals. Not suitable for small rodents (especially pets) without consultation with the county's designated public health official. Not suitable for diagnosis or rabies virus infection in humans. |
| Additional Tests Performed: |
| Preparation for Collection: | Patient (in cases where a human has been exposed) should consult with physician. Bite wounds or other skin breaks or mucous membrane exposure should be treated as any comparable wound. In extremely high risk cases, rabies post-exposure prophylaxis may be started. Owners of exposed domestic animals should consult with a veterinarian. |
| Specimen Requirements: | Animal heads (and/or brains) must be fresh and not crushed, mutilated or decomposed. Submission of the whole head is recommended for testing. Alternately, the entire brain, including the cerebellum and brain stem may be submitted. The entire animal may be submitted for testing ONLY IF it is squirrel-sized or smaller. Freezing should be avoided, but is acceptable if refrigeration is not possible. |
| Collection Instructions: | Detailed instructions for specimen collection are available at https://www.slh.wisc.edu/clinical/diseases/rabies/rabies-testing/ Humanely euthanize the animal avoiding trauma to the head. • Allow the head of the animal to exsanguinate prior to packaging to avoid leakage during transit. |
| Collection Kit/Container: |
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| Requisition Form: |
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| Required Information: | Human Exposure: • Name and address of exposed person. • Name and address of physician. Animal Exposure: • Name and address of owner of domestic animal. • Name and address of the veterinarian. All Submissions: • Type of animal (common name). • Name and address of the submitter. • Date of Death (or nearest estimate). |
| Rejection Criteria: | Live animals are not acceptable for receipt at the lab. Whole animals larger than a squirrel are not acceptable for receipt at the lab. Specimens with the skull or brain crushed, or if the brain is incomplete, decomposed, desiccated, or exposed to excess heat (partial cremation) may be unacceptable for testing. Submit the specimen for laboratory evaluation of specimen quality. Specimens where the brain is fixed or chemically preserved are not acceptable for testing. Non-mammal specimens submitted for rabies testing will not be tested. Human samples are not accepted for testing. |
| Specimen Handling: | Transport specimens at 2-8 °C with a frozen cold pack. Freezing specimens should be avoided, but is acceptable if refrigeration is not possible. Ensure that the specimen is properly contained (e.g. double bagged) to avoid leakage of fluid into the shipper during transit. |
| Packaging Requirements: | |
| Courier Information: | Arrange transport of specimens for rabies diagnosis so that they are received at the WSLH within 24 hours. Cost of transport is the responsibility of the submitter. |
| Specimen Receiving Hours: | Monday-Friday 7:45 AM - 4:30 PM, Saturday 7:45 AM - 12:00 PM |
| Results Include: | Positive / Negative / Equivocal / Indeterminate / Not Performed (if specimen unsatisfactory) |
| Limitations: | The different regions of the brain must be discernible to perform a satisfactory test. Poor specimen condition may preclude obtaining a satisfactory result. This test will only be performed on non-human mammals. |
| Additional Tests Recommended: | |
| Additional Comments: | WSLH Rabies website: http://www.slh.wisc.edu/clinical/diseases/rabies/ Animal remains are not available for return to the submitter. |
| Methodology: | Direct Fluorescent Antibody, microscopic examination |
| Includes: | Necropsy of brain and preparation of direct contact slides for detection of rabies virus in animals. |
| Regulatory Compliance: | N/A |
| CPT Code: | N/A |
| Price: | $41.00 Price Effective |
| Fee Exempt Eligible: | Yes, with DHS approval only, 608-267-9003 |
| Billing and Revenue Office: | 1-800-862-1065 arbill@slh.wisc.edu |