AHL LabNote 7-Transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) testing at the AHL

Updated by Davor Ojkic, DVM, PhD  Updated May 2024

Below is the current testing available at AHL for TSE diseases. Note that all TSEs are reportable to CFIA. The AHL is part of the Canadian TSE Laboratory Network and is approved by CFIA for TSE testing as noted in the table below. Please call the lab in advance of submitting small numbers of samples. Fees for tissue removal and head/carcass disposal will apply.

**AHL can do both screening/surveillance samples in addition to disease diagnosis suspects

Note: Both the obex and the retropharyngeal lymph nodes must be submitted for all farmed cervids tested for CWD. The primary target tissue tested for all members of the family Cervidae (with the exception of members of the genus Odocoileus), such as elk, reindeer, sika deer, red deer, and fallow deer, is the obex of the medulla. The primary target tissue tested for Odocoileus species (including white-tailed deer and mule deer) is the RPLNs. The additional submitted tissues will be frozen and held by the laboratory until the initial test is completed. Autolyzed samples in which the primary target tissue cannot be identified are not suitable for testing.