Did You Remember to Include the Tonsil?

October 15, 2014 — 

If you are submitting tissue samples from sick pigs always remember to include the tonsil. In 2006, USDA implemented a classical swine fever (CSF) surveillance program targeting swine from 18 high risk states. The program automatically screens tonsils submitted from those states for exposure to CSF virus. There is no charge for the testing and USDA will even provide the submitter with a $50 lab credit for each tonsil tested. If you are unsure how to collect the tonsil, download the pamphlet entitled Got Tonsil from the AASV website. All tissue sample submissions to the veterinary diagnostic lab should include the tonsil!

USDA has designated 18 states and Puerto Rico as "high risk" for CSF introduction. The designated high risk states for CSF introduction are as follows: Florida, Arizona, Georgia, California, Illinois, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas, New Jersey, Nebraska, New York, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas, and Washington Surveillance efforts will focus on these locations. With the exception of Iowa and Minnesota, all tonsil and nasal swab samples sent to a participating NAHLN laboratory in or from these states are eligible to be tested.

Due to the large number of swine cases submitted to the NAHLN diagnostic labs in Minnesota and Iowa, samples from these states will be eligible for testing if at least one of the following lesions is observed:

• dramatic acute septicemias,
• abortions, congenital deformities,
• dermatitis or nephritis (PDNS),
• undiagnosed CNS cases or
• other undefined cases the pathologist wishes to submit.

In cases where, based on history, clinical signs, or other indicators, you actually suspect that CSF could have infected the herd you should immediately call the State Veterinarian or USDA Area District Director. A Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostician will conduct an investigation and submit diagnostic samples to the Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory.