MU Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory

Guidelines for Postmortem Chronic Wasting Disease

The MU VMDL offers two different options for postmortem CWD testing: ELISA and immunohistochemistry (IHC). See below for additional information about the available testing.

Guidelines for Postmortem Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Testing at the MU Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory

How do I decide which test I need? Should I request ELISA or IHC?

Captive cervids from herds enrolled in the Federal CWD Herd Certification Program (HCP) must be tested by IHC. Both obex and retropharyngeal lymph node (RPLN) must be collected by a certified sampler or veterinarian and fixed in formalin prior to shipment to the laboratory.

Wild/free-ranging cervids or cervids from Missouri hunting preserves may be tested by ELISA. Positive ELISA must be confirmed by IHC. Missouri guidelines for white-tailed deer require only retropharyngeal lymph node be tested. Free-ranging elk may also be tested by ELISA, but both obex and retropharyngeal lymph node must be submitted fresh or frozen for testing.

What are the differences in price, turnaround time, sample type, etc.?

  CWD IHC CWD ELISA
Testing Section Histology Serology
Price $45.00 for both obex + RPLN $22.50 per sample
Sample Type Formalin fixed tissue Fresh or frozen tissue
Turnaround Time* 10 business days or less
(set up every other week)		 5 business days or less
(set up once a week)
Shipping Requirements Room temperature, expedited shipping not required On ice via expedited courier (preferably overnight)

*Note: Turnaround times may be longer during high volume seasons.

What if I’m not a certified sampler? Will the MU VMDL accept whole heads and collect the appropriate samples for me?

Yes, the MU VMDL will accept heads for CWD testing. A $35 dissection fee will apply in addition to the testing charges for each head submitted. Note: ear with official ID tag must be included.

Who should I contact with questions?

For questions regarding the CWD HCP or to become a certified sampler, please contact Missouri Department of Agriculture Epidemiologist, Dr. Sarah Reinkemeyer (Sarah.Reinkemeyer@mda.mo.gov).

For questions regarding laboratory testing at the MU VMDL, please call 573-882-6811.

Looking for Degenerative Myelopathy or Other Canine DNA testing?

Our neighbors at the Canine Genetic Disease Testing Lab can help! They offer DNA testing for DM and several other diseases. You can find more information on sample submission, shipping, and cost of testing on their website at: www.CanineGeneticDiseases.net

For other questions or inquiries, please contact Liz Hansen at 573-884-3712 or HansenL@missouri.edu

Unfortunately, the MU VMDL cannot provide updates on samples submitted for DM or other genetic testing, as these tests are not performed by our laboratory.

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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