Sample collection for respiratory disease

Sample collection is extremely important for a correct diagnostic analysis. During sample location, it is important to focus on the place of the pathology. When looking to respiratory infections, we typically can distinguish upper and lower/deep respiratory infections. We describe different methodologies on how samples can be collected for analysis with PathoSense. As a result, purified samples will be submitted to the PathoSense laboratory.

I - Upper respiratory tract infections

Indications for upper respiratory tract infections are sneezing, nasal discharge, conjunctivitis, rhinitis...

Upper airway problems in cats and dogs
  • Use a fine cotton swab to collect a sample from: nose, conjunctiva and/or oropharynx
  • Transfer the cotton swab to the provided 50 ml tube, connect the PathoSense swab to the filter and syringe & add the liquid to the 50 ml tube
  • Mix well for 30 sec and aspirate the suspension
  • Transport the syringe with cap in the PathoSense box
Upper airway infections in pigs
  • For a proper sample collection, clean the nasal openings with a clean paper cloth to avoid sampling of feed and or feces
  • Animals > 20 kg: direct use of PathoSense swab & purification according to instructions provided
  • Animals < 20 kg:

    • Use a fine, dry cotton swab for nose swab collection

    • Pool the cotton swabs of 5 animals in the 50 ml falcon tube, connect the PathoSense swab to the filter and syringe & add the liquid to the 50 ml tube

    • Mix well for 30 sec and aspirate the suspension

    • Transport the syringe with cap in the PathoSense box
Upper airway infections in horses/cattle
  • Use the PathoSense for large animals (long version) to collect a nasal swab in the nasal cavity of the horse/cow
  • Use the sampling instructions for purification of the sample
  • Transport the syringe with cap in the PathoSense box

II - Deep respiratory tract infections

Indications for deep respiratory tract infections are dyspnea, coughing, bronchitis, pneumonia...

Deep airway problems in cats, dogs, horse and cattle
  • A broncho-alveolar lavage is recommended
  • Collect the fluid in the provided 50 ml tube; connect the PathoSense swab to the filter and syringe & discard the fluid in the syringe
  • Use the sampling instructions for purification of the sample
  • Transport the syringe with cap in the PathoSense box
Deep airway problems in pigs
  • Live animals: tracheo-bronchial swab (TBS)
    • The use of a disinfected iron mouth spreader is recommended
    • Try to not touch the mouth surface or tonsils with the catheter used for TBS collection
    • Check if mucus has been collected by visual inspection of catheter tubes
    • Cut the catheter with a clean & disinfected scissors
    • Pool up to 5 samples in the 50 mL falcon tube
    • Use the PathoSense sampling kit as purification tool (as described above)

  • Live animals: bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)

    • The use of a disinfected iron mouth spreader is recommended
    • Try to not touch the mouth surface or tonsils with the catheter used for BAL collection
    • Inject sterile PBS into lung, aspirate the BAL fluid with a syringe & collect in the provided 50 ml tube
    • Pool up to 5 samples in the 50 mL falcon tube
    • Use the PathoSense sampling kit as purification tool (as described above)
Freshly euthanised or acute death animals
  • PathoSense swab can be used to collect mucus from the bronchi
    • Open the trachea and follow the bronchial tree up to small bronchi
    • Use the PathoSense swab for collection of mucus
    • Purify the sample according to the instructions
  • PathoSense swab can be used to collect swab directly from localised pathological lesions
    • Make incision in the lesion with a bistouri knife
    • Collect sample by deeply swabbing the lesions for at least 15 sec
    • Purify the sample according to the instructions