LSU Diagnostics responsible for testing of rabies samples for Louisiana
September 27, 2023
As the world observes World Rabies Day on September 28, the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine proudly shines a spotlight on its vital role
Microscopic image of rabies virus in a fox brain.
– Image provided by LSU Diagnostics
in safeguarding both animal and human health. Through our state-of-the-art LSU Diagnostics facility, we are responsible for testing rabies samples from across Louisiana. In 2022, LSU Diagnostics tested 396 samples with three positives (all bats). So far in 2023, LSU Diagnostics has tested 315 samples with five positives (all bats).
The state public health sanitary code (Louisiana Administrative Code, Title 51) requires that any case of rabies be reported to the Louisiana Office of Public Health “immediately upon recognition that a case, a suspected case, or a positive laboratory result is known.” When a person is bitten, scratched, or otherwise potentially exposed to rabies, the state public health sanitary code mandates that LDH conduct rabies testing at no cost to the victim. The LDH/LADDL system fulfills that requirement. The LDH reimburses LSU Diagnostics for all test fees.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, rabies testing should only be performed in accordance with the established national standardized protocol by a qualified laboratory that has been designated by the local or state health department. The direct fluorescent antibody test (dFA) is the test most frequently used to diagnose rabies. This test requires brain tissue from animals suspected of being rabid and can only be performed post-mortem. This test has been thoroughly evaluated for more than 40 years and is recognized as the most rapid and reliable of all the tests available for routine use. Other tests for diagnosis and research such as electron microscopy (EM), histologic examination, immunohistochemistry (IHC), RT-PCR, and isolation in cell culture are useful tools for studying the virus structure, histopathology, molecular typing, and virulence of rabies viruses.
For more information about LSU Diagnostics, please go to laddl.org.
About LSU Diagnostics
LSU Diagnostics is the Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, which is the only full-service American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians-accredited laboratory in Louisiana. Housed in the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, LSU Diagnostics services the people of Louisiana and surrounding states by providing animal disease diagnostic services to agricultural and general communities. LSU Diagnostics enhances research development and adaptation of diagnostic tests and protocols, researches and investigates livestock and companion animal diseases impacting the health and wellbeing of the animals and citizens of Louisiana, and researches selective diseases impacting the economics on the animal industries of Louisiana. LSU Diagnostics operates in partnership with Louisiana State University, the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana veterinarians, and livestock and poultry producers. LSU Diagnostics also provides support for the teaching and research programs of LSU Vet Med.
About LSU Vet Med: Bettering lives through education, public service, and discovery
The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine is one of only 33 veterinary schools in the U.S. and the only one in Louisiana. LSU Vet Med is dedicated to improving and protecting the lives of animals and people through superior education, transformational research, and compassionate care. We teach. We heal. We discover. We protect.