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For diagnostic laboratories

Prospective Diagnostic Laboratory Members

The Healthy Trade Institute (HTI) invites diagnostic laboratories to be members of the Healthy Trade Certification Program. Only HTI approved laboratories are allowed to process samples for the program.

Join Today See approved laboratories
Laboratory work on swab samples
Target pathogens

What the program tests for

The Healthy Trade Certification Program is launching in 2024 and is targeting the amphibian pathogens, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), B. salamandrivorans (Bsal), and ranavirus. In 2025, the Healthy Trade Certification Program will expand to reptiles. Initial pathogens that will be included are Agamid adenovirus 1 for bearded dragons, and Cryptosporidium serpentis and Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola for snakes. We anticipate expanding to other reptile species and pathogens in 2026.

Annual membership $500/year

Includes costs necessary to organize the Quality Assurance (QA) Proficiency Test.

Discount: For 2024 and 2025, the HTI is offering a 100% discount (a savings of $500) on new memberships for diagnostic laboratories!

Approval criteria

To become a member, laboratories must:

Amphibians

  1. Detect Bd and Bsal at minimum concentrations of 100 zoospores per swab.

  2. Detect FV3-like ranaviruses at minimum concentrations of 1 PFU per swab.

  3. Detect single and multiple pathogen combinations.

  4. 95% proficiency required for approval.

Reptiles

  1. Detect 100 copies of Agamid adenovirus 1, Cryptosporidium serpentis, and Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola per µL of extracted DNA per swab.

  2. 95% proficiency required for approval.

Laboratory requirements

Processing and program requirements

Processing requirements

Laboratories can follow any standardized procedures for gDNA extraction and quantitative PCR for the target pathogens. TaqMan qPCR Assay is required; SYBR Green is not allowed.

Program requirements

  • Laboratories need to be able to demonstrate competency (blinded samples) in extracting DNA and detecting target pathogens from swab samples using qPCR (TaqMan assay). Pooling (up to three samples) is allowed.
  • Samples ideally should be processed and results provided to the business and the HTI within 5 days of receipt.
  • Laboratory contact information will be advertised on the HTI website.

Become an HTI approved laboratory

Contact Dr. Matthew Gray to organize QA testing.

Join Today Email Dr. Gray