The interferon gamma  test is intended to assist in the diagnosis of suspected canine TB cases. The interferon gamma test can be useful in categorising dogs with suggestive lesions appropriately. This in turn can inform decisions as to whether treatment is appropriate and whether it is necessary to report the case to AHVLA (Suspected Bovine TB is a notifiable disease in all mammals).

IMPORTANT - This test is usually only performed on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month.  A minimum of 2ml of heparinised blood should be collected on the Tuesday or Wednesday before the test is run and sent to the laboratory by an overnight service.  Please call Biobest before arranging to collect sample to confirm testing scheduling.  There is a £200 additional charge for testing outwith scheduled testing. Samples must not be chilled as this will interfere with cell viability and test performance.

Antibody titres to canine distemper, canine adenovirus canine parainfluenza and canine herpesvirus are determined by a virus neutralisation test. This is the most reliable assay for the detection of vaccinal status or antibodies due to infection.

We use the IIFT to determine the levels of antibodies to canine parvovirus in serum.

Antibodies to Neospora are detected in serum or plasma by indirect immunofluorescence (IIFT).

IgG or IgM antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii are detected in serum or plasma by indirect immunofluorescence.

We offer the Virbac CPSE ELISA, the first ELISA based test to screen, diagnose and monitor BPH.

For more information on CPSE, please watch our video on the disease.

There is increasing concern in the veterinary world regarding the over-vaccination of dogs. The requirement for repeat distemper, parvovirus and adenovirus vaccination can be assessed by serology. Certificates are available on request.

Antibodies to leptospirosis are detected using an IIFT test. This test detects antibodies to all pathogenic serovars but not vaccination.

Canine Parvovirus - Canine parvovirus can be detected from faecal samples by PCR.

Virus Isolation - Virus isolation can be performed for distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus, herpesvirus and parainfluenza.

Canine Distemper Virus - We can detect CDV using PCR.

Leptospirosis - We can perform leptospirosis PCR on urine or tissue samples.

The interferon gamma  test is intended to assist in the diagnosis of suspected feline TB cases. The interferon gamma test can be useful in categorising cats with suggestive lesions appropriately. This in turn can inform decisions as to whether treatment is appropriate and whether it is necessary to report the case to APHA (Suspected Bovine TB is a notifiable disease in all mammals). There is also some evidence that the test can be used to monitor treatment, with responses falling in cats in remission.

IMPORTANT - This test is usually only performed on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month.  A minimum of 2ml of heparinised blood should be collected on the Tuesday or Wednesday before the test is run and sent to the laboratory by an overnight service.  Please call Biobest before arranging to collect sample to confirm testing scheduling.  For testing outwith scheduled testing times the cost will be twice the standard test price. Samples must not be chilled as this will interfere with cell viability and test performance.

We provide a serological testing service for antibodies to feline coronavirus (FCoV) as an aid to the diagnosis of Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP). The assay is an indirect immunofluorescence test (IIFT), which is recommended as the most specific of the available serological tools. Serum, plasma or fluids are suitable for testing.

We offer the Indirect immunofluorescence Test (IIFT) for the detection of antibodies to Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) in cat serum or plasma. The IIFT is regarded as the routine assay offering the greatest sensitivity and specificity, and has significantly improved performance over commercially available kit tests. If an ELISA or immunochromatography test is used for initial screening then it is considered best practice to confirm positives in healthy animals and negatives in sick animals by IIFT.

IgG or IgM antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii are detected in serum or plasma by indirect immunofluorescence. This regarded as the best available serological method.

Antibodies to Neospora are detected in serum or plasma by indirect immunofluorescence (IIFT).

We use a IIFT assay for the detection and titration of antibodies to feline panleukopaenia virus in cat serum or plasma.

Antibodies are detected in serum or plasma by Virus Neutralisation Tests.

There is increasing concern in the veterinary world regarding the over vaccination of cats. The requirement for repeat Herpesvirus, Calicivirus and Panleukopaenia Virus vaccination can be assessed by pre-booster serology. Results certificates are available on request.

These tests detect the presence or absence of the infectious agent in the sample submitted.

Feline Leukaemia Virus - FeLV antigen positive cells can be detected in heparinised blood samples. Fluorescence is regarded as the most accurate routinely available test.

Feline Parvovirus - Feline parvovirus (panleukopaenia) can be detected in faecal samples by PCR.

Feline Chlamydia and Feline Herpesvirus - Feline chlamydia and herpes virus can be detected by PCR from nasal, pharyngeal and ocular swabs.

Virus Isolation - A variety of feline viruses may be isolated from swabs, tissues and faecal samples as appropriate. Please contact us for further details and instructions.

EVA is caused by the Equine Arteritis Virus (EAV). Laboratory diagnosis is essential due to the variability or possible absence of clinical signs of EVA. Biobest use the the standard micro-neutralisation test to detect antibodies to EAV in blood samples tested. This is the OIE recommended test for international trade.

The test is performed daily during the peak covering season, three times weekly at other times, and results are usually reported achieved 2-3 days. Urgent tests may be set up at additional times if required, please contact us to discuss this.

EIA commonly known as swamp fever is a viral disease of horses caused by the lentivirus equine infectious anaemia virus (EIAV). Due to the persistence of EIAV in infected horses, detection of serum antibody to EIAV confirms the diagnosis of EIA virus infection.

Whilst ELISA tests are quicker than other techniques the OIE recommend that all positive tests are confirmed by the Agar Gel Immunodiffusion (AGID) or Coggin's Test. Therefore at Biobest we have chosen to provide the AGID test. Precipitating antibody is rapidly produced as a result of EIA infection, and can be detected by the AGID (Coggin's) Test. Specific reactions are indicated by precipitin lines between the EIA antigen and the test serum and confirmed by their identity with the reaction between the antigen and the positive standard serum. Horses in the first 2-3 weeks after infection will usually give negative serological reactions. In rare cases the post-infection time prior to the appearance of detectable antibody may extend up to 60 days

Tests will be performed daily Monday to Thursday and results available after a 24 hour incubation period. Urgent tests may be set up at additional times if required, please contact us to discuss this.