Acarus Infectious Disease PCRs

For guidance on which test(s) to select based on clinical and travel history please see the Companion Vector-Borne Diseases (CVBD) website. For clinical advice contact acarus-lab@bristol.ac.uk or for further information about the tests we offer please select the individual test link below.

The turnaround time on Acarus infectious disease PCRs is typically 3 to 5 days. The results are sent by email or post within 5 working days of us receiving your samples. These times can be subject to change (e.g. for Bank holidays).

List of Acarus Infectious Disease PCRs we offer

Sample requirements and specific turnaround times

Please click on each test to find out more.

• Anaplasma phagocytophilum qPCR
• Babesia spp qPCR
• Bartonella henselae qPCR
• Bartonella spp qPCR
• Borrelia spp (Lyme disease) PCR
• Ehrlichia/Anaplasma spp PCR
• Heartworm screen (Dirofilaria immitis antigen and modified Knott's microfilariae test)
• Hepatozoon spp PCR
• Leishmania qPCR
• Leishmania Antibody
• SNAP 4Dx serology screen: D. immitis Ag, E. canis Ab, A. phagocytophilum/A. platys Ab and B. burgdoferi Ab

Other sample types e.g. CSF, ticks, fleas, formalin fixed samples, can be tested after discussion with the lab.

Information about ticks and what to do can be found here.

Care should be taken to mix the blood efficiently as the efficacy of the tests will be reduced if clotting occurs. Samples should be submitted in a leak-proof secondary container within in a sealed, padded (Jiffy) bag with a submission form. If samples are being sent from an EU country, please include a copy of the facilitation letter found here. Please note, we cannot accept Acarus infectious disease samples from non-EU countries.

The delivery address for samples is:

Diagnostic Laboratories
Langford Vets
Churchill Building
Langford House
Langford
Bristol
BS40 5DU UK

Please ensure that all the sample tubes are double wrapped and that absorbent material is included in the inner wrapping to minimise the risk of contamination.

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