Chapter 5 - Sampling and Testing

Annex D: Instructions for the use of the Tuberculosis Submission Kit

The incidence of tuberculosis in regular slaughter animals is very low. However, Mycobacterium bovis can cause serious human disease. If dealing with animals or tissues suspected of being infected with tuberculosis take the appropriate safety precautions. Consult your supervisor or Safety Officer and refer to the MSDS available from the CFIA Office of Biohazard Containment and Safety, Tel: 613-221-3877.

Tissues from reactor animals or those from tuberculosis infected or suspect herds must not be shipped in this kit. Contact your District Office for "Collecting and Shipping Tissues from Animals at High Risk for Tuberculosis".

1. Tissues to submit

Any lesion compatible with tuberculosis and surrounding tissues; including caseous or purulent thin-walled abscesses (especially in Cervidae and Camelidae), lymphadenitis, granulomas and actino-like lesions.

  • NO prescreening of lesions is permitted (no use of impression smears, etc.).
  • If there are multiple lesions collect representative samples of each one.
  • All tissues collected have to be submitted for both histopathological examination and culture. Do not send a lymph node from one side of the animal for histopathology and the corresponding one from the other for culture.
  • Place a representative portion of each lesion and surrounding tissues in 10% buffered (pH 7.0) formalin. The proportion of tissues to formalin should not exceed 1 part tissue to 10 parts formalin. Use one jar per animal except if the volume of tissues exceeds the 1/10 ratio. Tape around seam of the lid (apply the tape in the direction of the screw closure).
  • Place the tissue for culture in a Whirl-Pak bag. Package the tissues from different animals separately, in different bags. Remove any air, fold approximately 4 times, and bend in the tabs. Do not use Zip-lock bags.
  • With permanent ink label all bags and jar(s) with the Health of Animals ear tag number, Canadian Cattle Identification Program tag number or other appropriate/traceable animal identification.
  • Write a list and a description (location, appearance, size, consistency) of the tissue(s) on the submission form. Use a separate submission form for each animal.

2. Storage of samples after collection

If the tissues will be received at the laboratory within 48 hrs of collection, send them refrigerated with ice-packs. If the period will exceed 48 hrs, freeze the tissue for culture and when ready, ship frozen with ice-packs. Do not freeze the tissues in formalin.

3. Packaging

The samples must be packaged by the Establishment's inspection personnel.

  • Place the tissue bags and the provided absorbent material into the larger Whirl-Pak bag, remove excess air, fold a few times, and firmly bend in the tabs. Place in the Nalgene container and close.
  • Place each formalin bottle into a Whirl-Pak bag with the absorbent packet, seal.
  • Put ice packs, formalin bottles and Nalgene container into the foam box. Add sufficient cushioning to prevent movement. Put on the foam lid and tape the submission forms to the top of the foam box. Close and tape the cardboard box. Place the provided address label on the box.
  • "Preserved Material, Non-hazardous, Unregulated" must be on the waybill.

4. Shipping

All samples must be shipped so as to minimize transport time (overnight courier). Do not ship late in the week to avoid samples being held over the weekend. For urgent cases or more information contact the Diagnostic Coordinator or the Tuberculosis Laboratory at the CFIA Ottawa Laboratory (Fallowfield), Tel: 613-228-6698, Fax: 613-228-6668.

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