A major function of our laboratory (UAZ-APL) is to diagnose diseases of cultured penaeid shrimp. Samples are received from farms and research facilities all over the world. Diagnostic services are provided to the shrimp farming community and research institutions for a minimal fee. To view our current diagnostic fee schedule, click HERE.
The Shrimp Pathology Short Course is given annually. The Short Course is an intensive two week course with participants attending from many different countries. The course combines lectures and hands-on laboratory sessions in the methods used for detection and diagnosis of the diseases present in cultured shrimp. This course is open to anyone in the aquaculture field. Participants should have at least a Bachelors degree in Fisheries Biology, Aquaculture, Microbiology or a related field and should be proficient in the English language. To request more information, click HERE.
As an OIE Reference Laboratory and an USDA-APHIS approved laboratory for crustacean pathogens, the University of Arizona’s Aquaculture Pathology Laboratory has been routinely implementing Ring Tests for diagnostic laboratories since 2005. The Ring Test services are specifically offered to laboratories involved in detection of shrimp pathogens by the use of molecular methods such as PCR. The purpose of the Ring Test is not only to determine proficiency, but also to help improve performance and to determine if the test methods in use are reliable and reproducible. This process helps assure the clinician, regulatory officials or the public, that the results provided are accurate, sensitive and specific. To view the Global Aquaculture Alliance article on Ring Testing, click HERE. For more information and the application, click HERE for a pdf; HERE for an editable version.
Our wet lab facility includes a wide range of tank sizes which can be used for viral challenges; for testing “vaccines” that contain recombinant proteins, DNA from shrimp pathogens, dsRNA or other products; for evaluating feed, feed ingredients, probiotics and prebiotics; for toxicity studies; and for testing other products for their possible application to the aquaculture industry. UAZ-APL has challenge models available for TSV, WSSV, IMNV, YHV, IHHNV and Vibrio sp. that can be used for evaluating resistance in selected families and for testing feed additives (probiotics, prebiotics, etc.) Our staff has the expertise to provide reliable results and the experience to help our clients design practical studies. Additionally, we have primary quarantine facilities, which can accommodate post-larval to adult stages year around. Please inquire by telephone (520-626-1390/520-621-4438) or by email (bwhite@ag.arizona.edu or aquapath@ag.arizona.edu) so we can design a study for your application or to schedule the use of our primary quarantine facilities. We have included a few interesting aquaculture related links, although, we do not endorse any of the sites referenced here. If you know of other aquaculture related sites that you do not see here, feel free to drop us a line! Check out the Aqualinks Page...
 If you would like to request more information regarding our lab and the services we provide, please write, fax or e-mail to the following addresses:
Mail:
Aquaculture Pathology University of Arizona Department of Veterinary Science and Microbiology Veterinary Science/Microbiology Building 90 1117 E. Lowell St., Room 102 Tucson, AZ 85721 USA
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