Director's Report

Since 1947, the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (ADDL) at Purdue University has maintained  a proud tradition of providing quality veterinary diagnostic services to the state and region.  The fiscal year of 2004 (July 1, 2003 to June 30, 2004) was indeed busy in the ADDL and saw many accomplishments.

In October of 2003, we were joined on the faculty of ADDL by Drs. Margaret Miller and Jose Ramos-Vara.  Dr. Miller is immediate past president of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists.  Her research area has primarily involved respiratory diseases especially of cattle.  Dr. Miller's special interests also include instruction of pathology graduate students, neoplastic diseases and diseases/disorders of skin.  Dr. Ramos-Vara is one of the world's recognized authorities o veterinary immunohistochemistry.  His research has involved development and validation of IHC for infectious and neoplastic diseases. 

During FY '04, Dr. Chris Hanika, who has been a diagnostic pathologist in the ADDL since 1995, had appointment change from Administrative/Professional to Clinical Track Faculty.  Dr. Hanika has had primary assignment to avian disease histopathology.

In FY '04, the ADDL virology section ran tens of thousands of fluorescent antibody tests on skin sections of cattle for detecting persistent infection with Bovine Virus Diarrhea virus.  This was after paired sample comparison results with Nebraska lab that has excellent reputation in running immunohistochemistry tests for PI of BVD.  Comparison results were in 100% agreement between our FA tests and Nebraska's IHC.   Detection and removal of BVD persistently infected animals has been shown to be a very cost effective practice when groups of cattle are assembled.

In August 2003, monkeypox entered the United States via Gambian giant rats from Africa.  By contact exposure at an exposition, prairie dogs sold as pets as well as other rodents became infected.  Monkeypox was also found in Indiana groundhogs.  An early on prairie dog accession to ADDL was diagnosed as monkeypox, this was confirmed by the CDC in Atlanta.

During the past year, the ADDL has put in place realtime polymerase chain reaction testing.  This testing allows for the rapid testing of samples for important diseases such as Exotic Newcastle Disease of poultry, Avian Influenza of poultry and Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome of swine.  Special "less than" 24 hour turn-around-time for PRRS is accomplished with this equipment allowing for testing of swine semen for this disease prior to its use.  Much of the development of the real-time PCR capabilities has been through the efforts and expertise of Dr. Ramesh Vemulapalli, head of the molecular diagnostics section of ADDL.

On November 19,  '03, in cooperation with the Indiana State Board of Animal Health, the Indiana State Poultry Association, and the Purdue Department of Animal Science, the ADDL conducted a wet-lab, hands on training day for avian disease diagnostics.  This training session emphasized diagnosis of such exotic avian diseases as Exotic Newcastle Disease and Avian Influenza as well as other more common occurring diseases of birds.   Over 30 veterinarians attended the training session; it is felt that with recently trained veterinarians spread across our state, we are better prepared to recognize the occurrence of one of the severe diseases of avian species should it be introduced either intentionally or accidentally; early detection is of highest importance to control of subsequent economic losses.

Several improvements occurred in the histology section of ADDL.  A new laboratory supervisor was appointed, Ms. Paula Brost; new equipment was installed and a battery of immunohistochemistry tests were initiated for offering largely through the efforts of Dr. Ramos-Vara.  With major assistance of Ms. Mary Woodruff who has carried the bulk of oversight of the ADDL virology section the past 3 years, approximately samples from  4,298 white-tail deer killed during hunting season in Indiana were tested by the IHC method for Chronic Wasting Disease.  All samples were found "no prions detected". 

The ADDL bacteriology and serology sections have provided services to the Indiana Johne's Disease surveillance/control program.  The program is federally assisted and involves provision of testing by either serum ELISA or fecal sample culture analyses. Funding for continuance of the program through mid '05 has been approved.

The ADDL again provided testing for unauthorized drug administration to animals exhibited at the Indiana State Fair.  The number of animals sampled this year was increased above those of years past.  Heretofore, champions and reserve champion animals were sampled, this year a number of random selected animals were sampled.

The ADDL strives to provide the best and most accurate diagnostic services for livestock, poultry, companion animals, fish and wildlife.  And, we will continue to prepare for new animal health threats.  There are at least 10 new diseases in animals and birds that did not exist 20 years ago.  Some of these diseases have relevance to human health in that they can be transmitted from animals to people.  It is our goal to provide assistance to help maintain the health of animals and also to contribute to the health of the public.  We are grateful for the opportunity to provide these services.