Announcements
The PADLS-NBC Mammalian Pathology Autopsy Service routinely accepts cases for biopsy/immunohistochemistry (fixed tissue), autopsy/necropsy, and rabies testing. Our laboratory is open for submissions Monday through Friday 8:30am to 4:30 pm.
All mammalian autopsy submissions and samples for rabies testing require a call-ahead prior to arrival at NBC. Priority may be given to large animal/food animal submissions and cases with infectious disease/herd health concerns.
- During normal business hours, please call (610) 925-6232
- Outside of business hours, please call (610) 444-5800 and ask for the on-call pathologist
- After-hours drop-off of autopsy or rabies submissions is not available at our lab. Drop off hours are:
- Monday through Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm
- Weekends and holidays, 6am-1pm
- Forensic/Legal type cases must be pre-arranged, please call for availability
- Out-of-state submissions may be deferred to their in-state diagnostic laboratories
- Small/companion animal submissions may be referred to the Penn Vet Diagnostic Laboratories (Philadelphia campus)
- Please call (215) 898-8857 for more information, or visit the website: Penn Vet | Diagnostic Laboratories (upenn.com)
With continued evolving situation, preauthorization for SARS-CoV-2 testing of animals is no longer required but the specimen must be submitted through a veterinary clinic following our collection and shipping guidelines. Please call the lab to discuss submission @717-787-8808
Licensed veterinarian:
- Submit a nasal swab (preferred) and oropharyngeal (or oral) swab in 1-3 mL of Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) broth or Viral Transport Medium (VTM). It is acceptable to discard approximately half of the BHI if provided with 5.5 mL tubes of BHI to obtain the proper amount of BHI broth in the tube. Rectal swab/feces can also be submitted but are not preferred specimens.
- Use synthetic (dacron or rayon) tipped, plastic shaft swabs. Do NOT use calcium-alginate, cotton tipped or wooden shaft swabs. Swabs submitted in collection media with gel are not acceptable.
- Package specimens as directed by IATA shipping guidelines as for any other diagnostic specimen. Ship specimens overnight on iced gel pack with a completed General PADLS submission form, available at http://padls.agriculture.pa.gov/PdfFiles/forms/GeneralSubmissionForm.pdf. Freeze specimens prior to shipping if they will not reach the lab within 48 hours of collection.
- Testing fee at PVL is currently $50/specimen unless waived with prior authorization.
Samples may be shipped by the licensed veterinarian using whatever overnight shipment or courier service they prefer to get them to the Pennsylvania Veterinary Lab (2305 N. Cameron St. Harrisburg, PA 17110). Do not use priority mail.
PVL now offers a total of 4 different Coggins submission/reporting methods and 3 of them are electronic:
- VS Form 10-11 (dated FEB 2018 or later) - hardcopy results are currently mailed via USPS
- PALIMS Mobile App - along with the PADLS Online Portal, this electronic option provides faster access to results – No Feeshttp://padls.agriculture.pa.gov/PdfFiles/forms/EIAMobileAppSubmissions.pdf
- GlobalVetLink - web-based electronic system; fast access to results- Fee-based service https://www.globalvetlink.com/eia/
- VSPS - USDA's web-based electronic system; fast access to results - No Fees USDA APHIS | Veterinary Services Process Streamlining (VSPS)
With current postal delays, we are temporarily advising, especially for “urgent” or “rush” cases, that those samples where possible are either hand delivered or sent via an overnight courier service with a guaranteed sample delivery at the laboratory.
The PADLS labs have announced the release of their new updated mobile app. The mobile app can be used by USDA Level 2 accredited veterinarians to submit EIA/Coggins test requests to the PADLS lab system. The updated Mobile App meets the requirements implemented with the USDA's recently released guidance for EIA testing. For veterinarians who have previously used the USALIMS Mobile App, you will need to download the new app onto your Android or iOS device. The app can be found in your app store by searching for "PA LIMS Mobile App". For veterinarians who have not previously used the mobile app, but would like to start using it, you can visit
http://www.padls.org/PdfFiles/forms/EIAMobileAppSubmissions.pdf to view the PALIMS Mobile App User Guide which contains instructions on signing up for an account.
To read the official announcement, see https://www.media.pa.gov/Pages/Agriculture_details.aspx?newsid=897
For regular updates on any changes to PDA services, check https://www.agriculture.pa.gov/Pages/COVID-19.aspx
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