The results of the 2018 USDA laboratory proficiency tests are in and DRL have once again received full marks. We remain one of only two laboratories in the southern hemisphere, and the only laboratory in NZ, to achieve this level of accreditation from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for PCR quantitation of Johne’s (MAP) shedding in individual faecal samples, in pooled faecal samples, in milk and in serum. We voluntarily undertake this independent validation every year to ensure that our diagnostic reporting is top notch!
This accreditation process involves blinded testing of proficiency panels comprising bovine faecal samples of known infection status and faecal culture titre, administered through the US National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL, Ames, Iowa) as part of an ongoing JD proficiency testing panel for diagnostic laboratories. The NVSL JD proficiency panels are distributed annually to diagnostic and research laboratories both in the US and internationally and are used to accredit testing services for JD diagnostic testing in the US. DRL are a USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service accredited testing laboratory for JD (organism-based methods (direct PCR and pooled PCR) and serum/milk ELISA) and have participated and passed NVSL JD proficiency panels annually since 2008.
More information about USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) – Approved Laboratories can be found here.
Our faecal PCR test hallmark of quality. Every year, the DRL laboratory participates in blinded proficiency panel testing for Johne’s disease, administered through the US National Veterinary Services Laboratory, Ames, Iowa as part of an ongoing international accreditation programme for diagnostic laboratories. These proficiency panels include serum, milk and faecal …[Read more]
Let’s face the facts about Johne’s disease in goats in New Zealand – Johne’s disease is a significant concern and a major production-limiting disease of farmed goats worldwide. Have any goats on your farm died after losing weight steadily? Did their condition worsen over a period of weeks or months …[Read more]
Always nice to capture the attention of the global Johne’s community. Our most recent publication describing a JD control programme using DRL’s testing strategy has been picked up by the Johne’s Information Centre at the University of Wisconsin – Madison School of Veterinary Medicine as newsworthy. It’s nice to be …[Read more]
Tel: 64 3 489 4832
Email: drl@drl.net.nz
C/- Invermay Research Centre
176 Puddle Alley, Mosgiel, Dunedin, New Zealand
