Bovine abortion diagnostic panel work-up

Common differential list:
• Bacteria: Ureaplasma diversum, Salmonella spp., Campylobacter spp., Brucella spp., Trueperella pyogenes, opportunistic bacteria (Bacillus spp. etc.), Leptospira spp., Listeria monocytogenes
• Viruses: BoHV-1 (IBR), BVDV
• Protozoa: Neospora caninum, Sarcocystis spp
• Fungal: Aspergillus spp., Mucor spp., Candida spp.
• Nutritional
• Toxicities: Nitrate, ergot

Samples to submit (fresh and fixed)
• Heart                                    • Lymph node
• Liver                                      • Brain: whole brain fresh
• Lung                                      • Skeletal muscle/tongue/diaphragm
• Kidney                                  • Eyelid/conjunctiva
• Spleen                                   • Fetal eye/vitreous humor
• Abomasal fluid                   • Thymus
• Thyroid                                • Thoracic fluid
• Adrenal glands                    • Small and large intestines
• Placenta: 2-3 cotyledons with intercotyledonary placenta and amnion
• Any additional gross lesions

Standard tests run at the laboratory (included in the general investigation)
• Histopathology
• Abortion and Campylobacter spp. cultures
• Bovine abortion multiplex PCR (BoHV-1, BVDV)

Additional tests (check website for preferred samples and current prices)
• Trace mineral analysis
• Nitrates
• PCR for Neospora caninum or Ureaplasma diversum
• Vitamin A and E*
• Serology (maternal or fetal)
o Abortion Panel-bovine serology comprehensive *
• Leptospira Panel (5 serovars), Neopsora caninum, Brucella abortus, BoHV-1, and BVDV types 1A, 1B, and 2
o IgG * (fetal heart blood or thoracic fluid)
*Indicates referral test

Printable version available here.

Updated June 26, 2026