DoD Food Analysis and Diagnostic

 DoD FADL Diagnostic Section

Last Updated: March 08, 2023

​​​​​​ The Immunodiagnostic lab performs testing for diseases of zoonotic and military significance in humans and animals; performs Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization (FAVN) testing for government owned animals and pets of authorized DoD beneficiaries; and the Rapid Fluorescent Focus Inhibition Test (RFFIT) test for government personnel who have been vaccinated for rabies. The Molecular Diagnostic lab performs vector-borne surveillance testing on insects and arthropods. This lab also provides Chagas Disease testing on Military Working Dogs (MWDs) and working dogs from other governmental agencies.


As of 29 March 2021, the Department of Defense Food Analysis & Diagnostic Laboratory (DoD FADL) will conduct SARS-CoV-2 Diagnostic testing utilizing real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) on canine samples, with expansion to felids and antibody testing planned for the near future. The DoD FADL is the diagnostic testing and reference center for SARS-CoV-2 in DoD affiliated animals that have met the criteria outlined by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and DoD Veterinary Services (VS) for SARS-CoV-2 testing. This organic capability affords the DoD agility and flexibility in COVID testing for our supported canine populations, and precludes any OPSEC concerns that occur with testing of MWD samples by commercial labs. The test is available upon request by veterinarians, ONLY after approval by state animal and public health officials. Information on submission guidelines and the new Molecular Diagnostic Test Request Form (D-204) can be found in the Remote Online Veterinary Record (ROVR) and DoD FADL Forms and Documents (DoD Diagnostic Forms).

 

All presumptive positive samples will require confirmatory testing by the USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL). Exceptions for confirmatory requesting requirements include domestic household animals from states, territories, or tribal nations that have previously had a confirmed case in that species. Please reference USDA APHIS websiteExternal Link for more information on selection criteria. Based on current guidance by the CDC, USDA, and DOD Veterinary Services, routine testing of animals for SARS-CoV-2 is not recommended. 


FAVN Inquiries Contact Information:
FAVN questions: 210-295-4387/4010/4605 (DSN:  421)
Fax:  210-635-1025​
Email Us ​
​Alternate Email​​

Immunodiagnostic Points of Contact:
Primary: 210-295-4920; DSN: 421-4920
Alternate: 210-295-4713; DSN: 421-4713​​

Section Chief
​Office: 210-295-6154; DSN: 421-6154​​

Molecular Diagnostic Points of Contact:
Primary: 210-221-3352; DSN: 471-3352
Alternate: 210-221-4960; DSN: 471-4960​
Email Molecular Diagnostic



All forms can be found on the Forms and Documents page here.


Immuno-diagnostic Testing

Current as of 25 June 2020

AGENT/DISEASE
METHODSPECIMENQTY.
Anaplasmosis (Anaplasma phagocytophilium)IFA
Canine serum 0.5-1 ml
Babesia canis IFA Canine serum 0.5-1 ml
Brucella canis IFA Canine serum 0.5-1 ml
Chagas Disease (Trypanosoma cruzi) IFA Canine serum 0.5-1 ml
Ehrlichia canis IFA Canine serum 0.5-1 ml
Equine infectious anemia FA-ELISA, AGID Equine serum 0.5-1 ml
Heartworm (Dirofiliara immitis) ELISA Canine serum 0.5-1 ml
Leishmania IFA Canine serum 0.5-1 ml
Leptospirosis (Leptospira interrogans)  MAT (Microscopic Slide Agglutination Tes - 7 serpvars)  Canine Serum  0.5-1 ml
Lyme Disease (Borrelia burgdorferi) IFA Serum 0.5-1 ml
Rabies antibody RFFIT-Rapid Fluorescent Focus Inhibition Test FAVN – Fluorescent Antibody Viral Neutralization Test Human serum Canine, Feline serum (Pet Travel) 0.5-1 ml
Rabies Virus Detection Rabies Virus Confirmation Direct FA Mouse Neuroblastoma Cell Culture Brain tissue 10% Brain suspension Fresh
Rocky Mt. Spotted Fever Group, (Rickettsia rickettsii) IFA
Serum 0.5-1 ml
Molecular Diagnostic* Test List

Current as of 23 June 2020

AGENT/DISEASE METHOD SPECIMEN
Ehrlichia chaffeensis ** PCR Ticks
Ehrlichia ewingii ** PCR Ticks
Trypanosoma cruzi PCR Kissing Bug
​Chagas Disease (T. crusi)​PCR​MWDs
West Nile Virus * RT-PCR Mosquitoes
​Zika Virus *​RT-PCR ​Mosquitoes

*Tests Undegoing A2LA 17025 Accreditation Process.

**Tests approved for in-house verification study.