WVRG: Testing for Chronic Wasting Disease

Wisconsin Viral Research Group, Ltd.

CWD: Testing

Testing for Chronic Wasting Disease

Wisconsin Viral Research Group (WVRG) is a medical diagnostic laboratory certified by the US Department of Health and Human Services (CLIA Number 52D0921062)
The sole owners and directors of WVRG are Drs. Konstance Knox and Donald Carrigan who hold doctorates in Experimental Pathology from the Medical College of Wisconsin and the University of California at San Francisco, respectively
The chronic wasting disease test performed by WVRG was originally developed by a USDA laboratory by USDA scientists (Dr. Katherine O'Rourke and coworkers in Pullman, Washington). The assay was specifically developed for the diagnosis of CWD in mule and whitetail deer. It has been adapted for large scale application by a veterinary biotechnology laboratory. The assay has an accuracy of 98% (sensitivity of >90% and specificity of 99.8%).
The target tissue to be analyzed is retropharyngeal lymph nodes since they become positive for the CWD protein weeks to months before the brain.
Data obtained by CWD testing of the Wisconsin whitetail deer herd has shown that one third of the CWD positive animals were positive only in lymph nodes, i.e. CWD protein was not detected in the brain.

The Test That WVRG Will Use On The Deer Tissue You Send In Is Not A Meat Safety Test

A POSITIVE test result is a reliable indication that the deer has Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). The USDA and World Health Organization recommends that you should not consume meat from deer known to have CWD. A NEGATIVE test, however, is NOT a conclusive indication that the deer does not have CWD. This is due to many different testing factors, including the fact that the disease has a long incubation period, which can produce a “false negative” result during the early stages of infection. You should use your own best judgment when deciding whether or not to consume your venison.

Wisconsin Viral Research Group, Ltd.

CWD: Testing

Testing for Chronic Wasting Disease

Wisconsin Viral Research Group (WVRG) is a medical diagnostic laboratory certified by the US Department of Health and Human Services (CLIA Number 52D0921062)

The sole owners and directors of WVRG are Drs. Konstance Knox and Donald Carrigan who hold doctorates in Experimental Pathology from the Medical College of Wisconsin and the University of California at San Francisco, respectively

The target tissue to be analyzed is retropharyngeal lymph nodes since they become positive for the CWD protein weeks to months before the brain.

Data obtained by CWD testing of the Wisconsin whitetail deer herd has shown that one third of the CWD positive animals were positive only in lymph nodes, i.e. CWD protein was not detected in the brain.

Wisconsin Viral Research Group
10437 Innovation Drive
Suite 319
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53226
Phone: 414-774-8612
FAX: 414-453-7295

Sample | Map | Links | Grant

Wisconsin Viral Research Group, Ltd.

CWD: Testing

Testing for Chronic Wasting Disease

Wisconsin Viral Research Group (WVRG) is a medical diagnostic laboratory certified by the US Department of Health and Human Services (CLIA Number 52D0921062)

The sole owners and directors of WVRG are Drs. Konstance Knox and Donald Carrigan who hold doctorates in Experimental Pathology from the Medical College of Wisconsin and the University of California at San Francisco, respectively

The target tissue to be analyzed is retropharyngeal lymph nodes since they become positive for the CWD protein weeks to months before the brain.

Data obtained by CWD testing of the Wisconsin whitetail deer herd has shown that one third of the CWD positive animals were positive only in lymph nodes, i.e. CWD protein was not detected in the brain.

Wisconsin Viral Research Group 10437 Innovation Drive Suite 319 Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53226 Phone: 414-774-8612 FAX: 414-453-7295

Sample | Map | Links | Grant

Wisconsin Viral Research Group
10437 Innovation Drive
Suite 319
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53226
Phone: 414-774-8612
FAX: 414-453-7295