The DPIRD (formerly DAFWA) approved fluke egg sedimentation test (FEST) procedure is used for this testing and can detect one egg/gram from faecal samples of 10 grams for horses and cattle. For other species, a 4g sample is required.
DDLS - Animal Pathology also offers a Fasciola hepatica copro-antigen detection ELISA, which is more cost-effective and more sensitive than the FEST. The test is for post-entry testing of sheep and cattle samples only and at this stage is only available at DDLS - animal pathology. For sheep a 4g faecal sample is required and for cattle a 10g sample.
Collect a fresh faecal sample, refrigerate (2-8°C), and dispatch the sample to DDLS - Animal Pathology in an esky with ice or cold pack as soon as possible.
DPIRD-approved laboratories to test liver fluke samples pre- and post-entry to WA
The laboratories listed below:
- participate in the DPIRD liver fluke quality assurance scheme
- use the DPIRD fluke egg sedimentation test (FEST) method or another approved method.
Please note that at present the Fasciola hepatica copro-antigen detection ELISA for post-entry samples from sheep and cattle is only approved if conducted at DPIRD.
Contact name | Laboratory address | Phone |
---|---|---|
Mr Cameron Loomes | DPIRD Diagnostics and Laboratory |
|
Mrs Deanne Broughton |
| +61 (0)8 |
Dr Grant Richards |
| +61 (0)3 |
Ms Maryke Du Plessis |
| +61 (0)2 |
Ms Maria Hardy |
| +61 (0)2 |
Mr Hamish Southwood |
| +61 (0)8 |
Ms Bonnie Beall |
| +61 (0)3 |
Dr Natalie Leo |
| +61 (0)7 |