MU Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory

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RFFIT – Interpretation of results

Interpretation of RFFIT Endpoint Result

Reported ResultInterpretation
“LESS THAN 0.1 IU/mL”RVNA NOT detected
“>/=0.1 – <0.5 IU/mL”RVNA detected below acceptable response
“>/= 0.5 IU/mL”RVNA detected at acceptable response or above

Interpretation of RFFIT Screen Result

Reported ResultInterpretation
“LESS THAN 0.1 IU/mL”RVNA NOT detected
Value between 0.1 to 15.0 IU/mLRVNA detected
“>/= 15.0 IU/mL”RVNA detected above the upper limit

(Note: the symbol “>” means “greater than” and “>/=” means “greater than or equal to”)

For humans – a rabies virus neutralizing antibody (RVNA) result of 0.5 IU/mL or higher is considered an acceptable response to rabies vaccination per the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendations and the World Health Organization guidelines. Results are confidential personal health information. All disclosures must be in accordance with HIPAA.

For animals – there is no proven level of protection for an animal. Per the World Organisation for Animal Health, 0.5 IU/mL is the minimum neutralizing antibody level for evidence of seroconversion after rabies vaccination.

See more information about rabies serology interpretation (FAQ) at https://vmdl.missouri.edu/one health rabies/.

Message from the Director

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 2024, veterinarians, animal owners and researchers from 103 Missouri counties and cities, as well as from 51 states and provinces outside Missouri, continued to rely on the Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory’s (VMDL) diagnostic services. The lab performed approximately 63,500 total cases and conducted nearly 204,500 tests.

About the MU VMDL

The VMDL is a full-service laboratory accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD). The VMDL provides in-depth laboratory diagnostic support to veterinary practitioners, livestock and poultry industry interests, companion animal interests, wildlife conservationists, scientists utilizing animals in their research throughout the university, state and regulatory officials, and clinicians of the MU Veterinary Health Center.

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