Immunology/Virology
The Immunology and Virology section of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine’s Clinical Diagnostic Laboratories specializes in a wide variety of assays to detect important veterinary diseases. We provide services to identify and quantify immune responses to infection and vaccination, as well as abnormal responses seen in certain immune-mediated diseases. We perform tests for a variety of species, including companion animals, horses, livestock, laboratory animals, exotic species, and wildlife.
Our Diagnostic Services Include:
- Antibody and Antigen Detection: Utilizing a range of methods including:
- Agar-gel immunodiffusion (AGID)
- Lateral flow assays (LFA)
- Latex agglutination (LAT)
- Direct immunofluorescence (DFA)
- Indirect immunofluorescence (IFA)
- Radial immunodiffusion (RID)
- Synergistic hemolysin inhibition (SHI)
- Viral antigen detection via immunofluorescence antibody tests and antigen-capture ELISA.
Available Tests by Species:
- All Species
- Aspergillus spp. Antibody AGID
- Coccidioides Antibody LFA
- Cryptococcus spp. Antigen by LFA and LAT
- Alpacas, Camels, & Llamas
- IgG (Quantitative) RID
- Cats
- Anti-Megakaryocyte Antibody (AMA) DFA
- Anti-Nuclear Antibody (ANA) IFA
- Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) IFA
- Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) Antigen/Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) SNAP ELISA
- Parvo (Panleukopenia) Fecal SNAP ELISA
- Cows, Goats, & Sheep
- Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis (Caseous lymphadenitis) SHI titer
- Dogs
- Anti-Megakaryocyte Antibody (AMA) DFA
- Anti-Nuclear Antibody (ANA) IFA
- Brucella canis LFA
- Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) DFA (in-house test only)
- CDV Antibody Titer (IgG/IgM) IFA
- IgG/IgM/IgA (Quantitative) RID
- Immune Complex-Mediated Glomerulonephritis IFA (in-house test only)
- Parvovirus Fecal SNAP ELISA
- Parvovirus Antibody Titer (IgG) IFA
- Leptospira spp. LFA
- Horses
- Anti-Megakaryocyte Antibody (AMA) DFA
- Anti-Nuclear Antibody (ANA) IFA
- Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis (Pigeon Fever) SHI titer
- IgG/IgM (Quantitative) RID
- Toxoplasma gondii IFA
- Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM) - SarcoFluor™ and NeoFluor™ IFA testing
- Submit serum and/or CSF to test for antibodies to Sarcocystis neurona (SarcoFluor™) and/or Neospora hughesi (NeoFluor™)
- STAT EPM testing available for an additional fee with a 1-3 day turnaround.
- Submit serum and/or CSF to test for antibodies to Sarcocystis neurona (SarcoFluor™) and/or Neospora hughesi (NeoFluor™)
- Research Testing
- We support research projects by providing specialized testing services.
- For more information, please visit the Research page.
- We support research projects by providing specialized testing services.
Our team is here to assist with test selection, specimen collection guidance, and submission recommendations. For inquiries, please contact the Immunology/Virology department at vetimmunology@ucdavis.edu. Our staff aims to respond to inquiries within 1-2 business days.
All testing is performed by experienced hospital laboratory technicians (HLTs) and overseen by board-certified veterinarians specializing in infectious disease diagnostics. We offer consultations on diagnostic testing strategies and interpretations of test results.
General Submission Guidelines:
- Most tests require a minimum volume of 1mL of serum in a plastic tube with no additives.
- Include signalment and case history with each submission to ensure accurate diagnostics.
- Details regarding shipping conditions, sample requirements, turnaround times, and fees can be found under the Test Menu.
- Additional forms are available under Forms & Guidelines.
NOTE: All laboratory requests and submissions must be made by a veterinarian, and results will only be released to a veterinarian. We cannot accept laboratory submissions directly from animal owners.