We are regularly asked whether it is possible to examine samples from several animals together or to send in pooled samples.

This is possible to a varying extent for the different examination methods. When pooling samples, you should keep in mind that any pathogen/antibody concentrations within the sample will be diluted and thus the probability of false-negative results will be increased. In addition, in the case of a positive result, it is only possible to assign the result to the respective pool, but not to a specific animal. Furthermore, pooling of samples only makes sense for animals from the same hygienic unit, as there is a risk of pathogen transmission from one unit to another while taking samples (for example, if one swab or tape strip is used for several animals).

A detailed summary of the possibilities of pooling samples, sorted according to the specific examination methods, can be found here.

Serum collection

1. Take about three times the amount of serum needed later (min. 150µl blood for S package, min. 270µl blood for L package) in a suitable container without adding anticoagulants or similar.
2. Wait for blood to coagulate. Leave the filled sample container at room temperature for approx. 2h or overnight at 4-8°C until a clear separation between blood coagulum and blood serum can be  observed
3. Centrifuge sample tube at 1500 x g for 10min to separate cellular components. Then pipette off the serum supernatant and transfer to a labelled sample tube. (repeat this step if necessary).

• max. 1 day at room temperature
• 2-5 days at 4°- 8°C
• longer periods at -20°C.

• 50µl serum for S package
• 90µl serum for L package

Blood Spot

For serological testing using Blood Spot cards, you need the appropriate filter cards, which we provide. Please get in touch!

1. Labeling the filter card.
2. Drop blood into the marked circle until the circle (spot) is completely filled.
• Up to 9 serological tests can be performed from one spot.

1. Allow the blood drops to dry on the filter card for one hour at room temperature.
2. Ship the filter card in waterproof packaging.

Fecal samples

1. for PCR tests
• Collect 2-3 as fresh as possible faecal pellets per animal with sterile tweezers and place them in a labelled sample container (max. size: 2 ml) without any additives. Change tweezers between animals and units to avoid contamination. For RNA virus testing, store frozen (-80°C) and ship on dry ice.
2. for Parasitological examinations (flotation, direct smear)
• Collect 2-3 as fresh as possible faecal pellets per animal with sterile tweezers and place in a labelled sample container. It is recommended to add a drop of 0.9% NaCl to the faeces in the sample container. Please note that for a direct smear ideally faeces from the duodenum and caecum are required.
3. for Microbiome analysis
• Collect at least 2 fresh faecal pellets per animal with sterile tweezers and place in a labelled sample vessel (max. size: 2 ml) without any additives. Change tweezers between animals and units to avoid contamination. Ideally, samples are stored at lowest temperatures (-80°C) and sent frozen (e.g. on dry ice).

Swabs for microbial examinations

You need sterile swabs with nutrient medium (e.g. Amies) for the microbial examination. You can order these from us.

1. Label the swab tubes (institution, animal identification, localisation of sampling, date).
2. Ideally, a separate swab should be used for each localisation (e.g. nasopharynx, anal region, wound) of each animal to be sampled.
3. Remove the swab from the sterile packaging or swab tube and swab the localisation to be sampled without touching the surroundings or other regions of the animal. By brushing/swabbing the localisation with the swab tip and rotating the swab, the swab tip is sufficiently wetted with the bacterial flora to be examined.
4. Then place the swab in the swab tube with nutrient medium as quickly as possible and without touching the environment/other localisations etc. and send it refrigerated. Prolonged storage should be avoided. If storage is necessary, the swabs should be refrigerated.

Swabs for PCR examinations

You need sterile, dry swabs without medium for the PCR examination. Alternatively, swabs with a special liquid medium (e.g. Eswabs) that does not interfere with the PCR can be used. Both variants can be ordered from us.

1. Label the swab tube/sterile sample container (institution, animal identification, localisation of sampling, date).
2. It is also recommended to use a separate swab for the PCR examination for each localisation of each animal to be examined. For environmental testing, for example, it is suitable to sample the exhaust filters by swabbing or sending in the exhaust filter.
3. Remove the swab from the sterile packaging and swab the desired location without touching anything else. When sampling animals, obtain sample material by applying sufficient pressure and rotating the swab. The aim is to remove and pick up some cells with the swab.
4. Then place the swab in the swab tube or the sterile sample vessel (max. size: 2 ml) without further touching.
5. If RNA pathogens are to be detected, the sample should be frozen immediately and sent on dry ice. If DNA pathogens are involved, no cooling of the sample is necessary. If both RNA and DNA pathogens are to be detected, sampling with two swabs is recommended.

Adhesive tape slides

For the parasitological examination for ecto- and endoparasites by means of a Adhesive tape slides preparation, you need transparent adhesive tape and a microscope slide (ideally a slide with a ground joint).

1. First label the slide on the ground glass (institution, animal identification, localisation of sampling, date).
2. Now you need a piece of adhesive tape (approx. 4 cm), which should be shorter and narrower than the slide, so that you can stick it all over one side of the slide. You can use a separate adhesive tape and slide for each localisation, or you can use one half of the adhesive tape for the ectoparasite examination and the other half for the endoparasite examination.
3. Now use this adhesive tape to carry out the swabbing on the animal. For the examination for ectoparasites, the fur/skin in the neck, around the ears and on the flank is swabbed, i.e. the adhesive strip is pressed with the adhesive side against these regions and then removed again. To examine for endoparasites, the perianal area of the animal is swabbed.
4. Then stick the adhesive strip to the slide over the entire surface and as smoothly as possible and send it unbreakable.

Organ samples

• For PCR examinations, take the organ sample with sterile cutlery and place it in a sterile, labelled sample container (max. size: 2 ml) without any additives. Immediately after taking the sample, freeze it at -20 to -80°C and send it on dry ice (e.g. lung tissue).

• For histopathological examinations, remove the organ sample with sterile instruments and place it in a labelled sample container. Cover the sample sufficiently with 4% formalin to fix the sample. Be sure to send the sample container in leak-proof packaging.