The ISU VDL Health Assurance Testing Services (HATS) laboratory provides real-time production animal health monitoring for high-health production systems that include boar studs, swine breeding herd pyramids or multipliers, gilt developer units, and downstream production flows that maintain high levels of biosecurity. The HATS lab offers same-day testing for PRRSV and PEDV by real-time PCR with automatic retesting on positive results with same-day retest results for boar stud and next-day results for all other systems.
Benefits of testing performed at the HATS laboratory
- Same day results with extended hours: The HATS lab offers real-time PCR testing Monday through Saturday with two submission receipt cut-offs and results each day for high health production systems.
- Automatic retesting: Any samples which yield a positive result (PRRSV and PEDV) are automatically retested with same-day results for boar studs and next-day results for all other systems.
- Close cooperation with other sections in the ISU VDL: The HATS lab works closely with all ISU VDL sections and efficiently transfers samples if additional testing is requested.
Initial Submission
Samples submitted to HATS should be from high-health farm sites that are expected negative for PRRSV and PEDV. The HATS box must be checked on the Swine Health Test Request Form and HATS indicated on the outside of the shipper box with a label or marker.
Retest Policy
Samples that yield a positive PCR result for PRRSV and/or PEDV, will automatically have retests performed with same-day results for boar studs and next-day results for all other sites. Preliminary positive results will be conveyed to clients via phone.
PRRSV vaccinated sites are exempt from the HATS retest policy. Additional retesting or requests for follow-up PRRSV testing must be requested and will occur the following day.