Brucella canis screening test changes

On Thursday, June 23, 2022, the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory will no longer perform the Brucella canis RSAT/2ME-RSAT. It is being replaced with two different tests.  B. canis screening will be done with the Bionote Antigen Rapid Canine Brucella Ab Test (B. canis Rapid Ab Test).  This is a lateral flow, immunochromatographic assay that has been validated for use on whole blood, plasma, and serum.  Serum samples with non-negative results will be confirmed using the USDA’s Brucella canis Tube Agglutination Test (B. canis TAT).  All non-negative test results will be sent to your State Animal Health Official.

B. canis Rapid Ab Test

The turnaround time for B. canis Rapid Ab Test is same-day.

Approved sample types include serum, whole blood, and plasma. Be advised that serum is the preferred sample type as whole blood and plasma are not valid for the B. canis TAT, nor for the B. canis plate agglutination/AGID II confirmatory tests offered by the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine Animal Health Diagnostic Center.

B. canis TAT

The turnaround time for B. canis TAT is 48 hours. Thus the test will be set up Monday – Wednesday and read Wednesday – Friday, depending on the setup day.

The only approved sample type is serum.