Avian Paramyxovirus (Newcastle Disease Virus) PCR

Lab Section	Molecular
Test Description	Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) that looks for the presence of avian paramyxovirus antigens
Species	Avian (domestic and wild)

SUBMISSION DETAILS

Sample Type	Swabs: nasal, oropharyngeal, tracheal (preferred for poultry), cloacal Tissues: lungs, trachea. Tissues can be fresh (preferred) or frozen. Culture supernatant Chorioallantoic fluid Poultry testing is conducted on a per flock basis; the lab may pool up to 5 swab samples. Wild bird and hobby poultry testing is done per bird; no pooling of samples is done.
Container	Leak-proof primary container for fluids and tissues Swabs must be kept moist; use viral transport media or place swab in red top tube with 1-2 ml sterile saline.
Special Submission Instructions	Please provide vaccination history: were birds recently vaccinated against Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV)? If so, what type of vaccine was used? Label submission form and primary container “High Risk”. Label shipping container “Special Handling”. Ship all samples with cold packs.
Turnaround time	1-2 business days

The University of Missouri Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (VMDL) is a full-service veterinary diagnostic laboratory and Missouri’s only laboratory accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians. The VMDL is a Level I Lab of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, Tier I Lab of the FDA Veterinary Laboratory Response Network, and a National Poultry Improvement Plan authorized lab. The VMDL maintains an effective quality assurance and quality control program.

The VMDL has formal anatomical pathology, clinical pathology, and clinical microbiology training programs. The VMDL faculty hold academic appointments in the Departments of Veterinary Pathobiology and Veterinary Biomedical Sciences. The director is administratively responsible to the dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine for the overall operation of the laboratory and its multiple missions of public service, teaching, research and continuing education/extension.

The VMDL faculty and staff work diligently to provide relevant, timely and cost-effective diagnostic services to our clients and to create a positive learning environment for our students and residents. In 2023, the VMDL processed approximately 64,924 accessions and performed more than 207,026 laboratory tests, which represents a 10.67 percent increase in diagnostic accessions and 17.54 percent increase in laboratory tests compared to 2022. The diagnostic service was utilized by veterinarians, owners, and researchers from 110 Missouri counties and independent cities and 28 other states.