Mystic Aquarium

Mystic Aquarium offers diagnostic testing for both routine analysis and research projects.

For further information or to submit samples please contact:

Tracey Spoon, PhD
Mystic Aquarium and Institute for Exploration
55 Coogan Blvd.
Mystic CT 06355
Phone: 860-572-5955 ext 139
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Available Tests:

Competitive ELISA

Procedure: This cELISA is based on a whole cell Brucella isolate from a harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) and tests for the presence of antibodies against marine Brucella. This test does not detect the presence of the bacteria, but the presence of antibodies to the bacteria. The presence of antibodies can indicate either previous exposure or a current active infection. All samples are screened at a 1:10 dilution and the percent of inhibition is measured.

Negative result: ≤ 24.9% inhibition

Suspect result: between 25-29.9% inhibition

Positive result: ≥ 30% inhibition

Samples accepted: serum; preferably 1 cc or more.

Sample storage: label each sample with the date and the animal ID#. Freeze samples as soon as possible following collection. Store at -70°C (short-term storage at -20°C is acceptable).

Sample shipment: overnight on ice (fresh samples), or frozen, preferably on dry ice.

Test days: when sufficient numbers of samples are received

Minimum Test time: 3 days

Indirect ELISA

This iELISA assay is based on a whole cell Brucella isolate from an infected bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) and tests for the presence of antibodies against marine Brucella. This test does not detect the presence of the bacteria. The presence of antibodies can indicate either previous exposure or a current active infection.

All the samples are screened at 1:50 dilution. All positive samples are then further tested to report the end point titer.

Negative result: < 1:50 titer, OD value ≤ 0.5 (our current state of knowledge suggests that this sample is negative for the presence of antibodies)

Suspect result: suspect at 1:50 titer, OD value: 0.51-0.99 (antibodies detected but did not reach the cut-off to fall within the positive antibody detection limit)

Positive result: ≥ 1:50 titer (end point titer is reported here), OD value ≥ 1.0 (our current state of knowledge suggests that this sample is positive for the presence of antibodies)

Samples accepted: serum; preferably 1 cc or more.

Sample storage: label each sample with the date and the animal ID#. Freeze samples as soon as possible following collection. Store at -70°C (short-term storage at -20°C is acceptable).

Sample shipment: overnight on ice packs (for fresh samples) or frozen, preferably on dry ice.

Test days: when sufficient numbers of samples are received

Minimum Test time: 3 days

DISCLAIMER
This is a research-based test that is currently under development and validation. Therefore, the results of this assay should be interpreted with caution. Performance characteristics of this assay are yet to be determined under all conditions and clinical circumstances. Results should be interpreted in the context of each case. It is highly recommended that other diagnostic testing modalities, e.g. microbial culture, and where appropriate molecular methods and histopathologic examination, be used to complement the results of this testing. It is up to the discretion of each submitting facility to decide how to use the results of this test and to determine if further testing on specific animals is warranted.