Serology

In the serology lab, we check whether your animals have antibodies against certain germs. We do this by means of ELISA (Enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay). Poulpharm has an automated system for performing ELISA tests so that in a short period of time a large number of tests can be performed and the customer is quickly informed of the result.

Depending on the ELISA assay used, the results are reported in different formats (titer, SP value, SN value or % blocking). Based on these results, the level of antibodies against a specific pathogen in the body can be assessed.

The serology lab consists of many experts (PhD, MSc and BSc) who perform the different serological tests with the greatest eye for quality. Besides examining diagnostic or project-related samples, the team is also ready to answer all your questions.

Poulpharm has a GLP and an ISO17025 accreditation for performing serological tests (ELISA). The assays performed under ISO-17025 are ELISA IBR gE, ELISA IBR gB and ELISA Aujeszky gE.

Tessa Gryp

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what is serology and how can my flock take advantage of it?

Serology is a method of detecting antibodies in an animal’s blood. These antibodies may be maternal antibodies, which come from the mother hen or they may come from vaccination. They are also found in the blood after an animal has experienced an infection. The presence of antibodies makes an animal immune to a particular disease.

Serological analysis and equipment needed
Our laboratory equipment allows us to detect antibodies to many diseases semi-automatically – however, some tests still need to be done by hand. For the analysis, the blood is placed on a matrix, to which the antibodies can bind. Then the blood is washed away, leaving the antibodies on the plate. A conjugate that binds to the antibodies is then added. It reacts with a dye to make the antibodies visible to our equipment. The concentration of antibodies is measured by the optical density of the solution and is also called “titer”.

Application in veterinary medicine
In addition to diagnostics and assessment of vaccination success, serology can be used in broiler production to determine the optimal time for vaccination against Gumboro disease. This study requires the examination of blood from day-old chicks. Maternal antibodies will be very high at the time the chicks are hatched, but the levels drop as the birds age. This makes them susceptible to the disease, but allows for effective vaccination at a certain age.

A formula is used to calculate the optimal vaccination time based on serum levels on day 1. At Poulpharm, 20,000 samples for PGVS (Personal Gumboro Vaccination Service) have been analyzed since August 2018. The optimal vaccination day depends on the vaccine used (Hot or intermediate vaccines).

Serology shows the effect of vaccination

Using serology it is possible to follow up on the vaccination of your flock of animals. At Poulpharm we looked at ELISA titers of parent animals pre and post vaccination compared. Before vaccination, the titer in parent animals varies between 300 and 5000, indicating that before vaccination there are hardly or even no antibodies present against the pathogen. After a complete vaccination, the average titer of the animals rises above 12000, this shows that the animals have produced antibodies against the pathogen. A measure to follow up on vaccination can be seen by looking at the coefficient of variation (CV%). Before vaccination, the CV% often fluctuates above 60%. A CV% higher than 60 may indicate that the animals were exposed to a pathogen with a slow spread through the flock of animals. This implies that there is a lot of variation on the titers and that the protection against the pathogen is not good. After vaccination, the CV% drops below 40%, which shows that there is less variation in the titers. A CV% below 40% show that the animals were very well vaccinated and are sufficiently protected against the pathogen.

Serology Packages

Per 15 stalen incl. staalnamePrijsPrijs bundel
IBD€ 79€ 79
IBD + ARV€ 99€ 128
IBD + FADV + ARV€ 119€ 177
IBD + FADV + ARV + ORT€ 139€ 226
IBD + FADV + ARV + ORT + CAV€ 159€ 298