Sample Collection and Analysis

Abstract

Management of the health status of an animal colony using a plurality of blood collection cards and the analysis of dried blood from members of the colony that has been collected on the cards. Members of the colony may be removed from the colony as a result of the analysis.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for managing a an animal colony, the method comprising:
 (a) collecting blood samples from a plurality of members of the colony on a plurality of collection cards;   (b) allowing the blood samples to dry on the collection cards;   (c) transporting the collection cards to a laboratory as a single unit;   (d) extracting the samples from the cards;   (e) analyzing the samples for the presence or absence of a biological marker for an infectious disease; and   (f) removing one or more of the members from the colony based upon the presence or absence of the marker in the samples from the one or more members.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising labeling each collection card in the plurality of collection cards to identify the member of the population associated with each sample on a card. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the immunoassay comprises contacting the extracted blood with a fluorescently labeled binding partner for the antibody. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the analyzing comprises conducting a multiplex fluorescence immunoassay on the samples extracted from the cards. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the multiplex fluorescence immunoassay detects at least ten different analytes in the samples. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the rodents are mice and the step of analyzing the extracted blood comprises analyzing for the presence or absence of seven or more diseases selected from the group consisting of:
 a. MHV;   b. MVN (MMV);   c. NS1 (Generic Parvovirus);   d. MPV (MPV1-5);   e. MNV;   f. TMEV;   g. EDIM;   h. Sendai virus;   i.  Mycoplasma pulmonis;      j. PVM;   k. REO3;   l. LCMV;   m. Ectromelia virus;   n. MAD1;   o. MAD2;   p. Polyoma virus;   q.  Encephalitozoon cuniculi;      r. CARB;   s.  Clostridium piliforme;      t. MCMV;   u. K virus;   v. Hantaan virus;   w. Lactate dehydrogenase-elevating virus; and   x. MTV.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the rodents are rats and the step of analyzing the extracted blood comprises analyzing for the presence or absence of seven or more diseases selected from the group consisting of:
 a. RCV;   b. NS1 (Generic Parvovirus);   c. RPV;   d. RMV;   e. KRV;   f. H-1;   g. RTV (Rat theilovirus);   h. Sendai virus;   i. PVM;   j.  Mycoplasma pulmonis;      k. REO3;   l. LCMV;   m. CARB;   n. Hantaan virus;   o.  Clostridim piliforme;      p. MAD1;   q. MAD2;   r.  Encephalitozoom cuniculi ; and   s. IDIR.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the rodents are mice and the step of analyzing the extracted blood comprises analyzing for the presence or absence of seven or more diseases selected from the group consisting of:
 a. MHV;   b. MVN (MMV);   c. NS1 (Generic Parvovirus);   d. MPV (MPV1-5);   e. MNV;   f. TMEV;   g. EDIM;   h. Sendai virus;   i.  Mycoplasma pulmonis;      j. PVM;   k. REO3;   l. LCMV;   m. Ectromelia virus;   n. MAD1;   o. MAD2;   p. Polyoma virus;   q.  Encephalitozoon cuniculi;      r. CARB;   s.  Clostridium piliforme;      t. MCMV;   u. K virus;   v. Hantaan virus;   w. Lactate dehydrogenase-elevating virus; and   x. MTV.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the rodents are rats and the step of analyzing the extracted blood comprises analyzing for the presence or absence of seven or more diseases selected from the group consisting of:
 a. RCV;   b. NS1 (Generic Parvovirus);   c. RPV;   d. RMV;   e. KRV;   f. H-1;   g. RTV (Rat theilovirus);   h. Sendai virus;   i. PVM;   j.  Mycoplasma pulmonis;      k. REO3;   l. LCMV;   m. CARB;   n. Hantaan virus;   o.  Clostridim piliforme;      p. MAD1;   q. MAD2;   r.  Encephalitozoom cuniculi ; and   s. IDIR.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , where in the extracting comprises extracting the blood with a buffer comprising ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 4 , where in the extracting comprises extracting the blood with a buffer comprising ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each collection card contains segments for collecting up to five samples. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each collection card contains segments for collecting up to fifty samples. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each collection card contains segments for collecting up to 100 samples. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the volume of blood of each sample collected on the card is 10-40 μL. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the blood is collected from the animal's lateral saphenous vein, facial vein or temporal vein. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the blood is collected on the card without a collection device. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the samples are dried at room temperature. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the collection cards are transported at room temperature. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the segments are separated by a perforation that allows separation of the cards such that a single sample collection area is on each separated card. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the identity of at least one of the rodent population and an individual member of the population is associated with each sample area of each separated card.