The Ohio Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory is now offering two assay procedures to diagnose avian metapneumovirus infection (aMPV).

A real time-PCR assay has been developed to detect aMPV nucleic acid from samples including tracheal and choanal swabs.  Dacron swabs should be used for sampling and specimens should be transported in a compatible medium.  RT-PCR assays are conducted on Monday through Friday with a charge of $36 per test.  The procedure will detect and differentiate among all three subgroups of aMPV.

An indirect ELISA procedure will detect antibodies to aMPV.  The procedure is group specific and therefore will not differentiate between subgroups A, B and C nor distinguish between vaccinated and infected flocks.  Samples are assayed on Tuesdays and Thursdays at a cost of $5 per sample.