Approved Tests. Approved tests for Trichomoniasis testing within the State of Texas shall include the culture or Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) testing of samples collected into an InPouch by certified veterinarians following approved collection, handling and shipping protocols, then tested in approved laboratories.

1. (1) Official Culture Tests. An official test is one in which the sample is received in the official laboratory, in good condition, within 48 hours of collection and such sample is tested according to the "Official Protocol for Culture of Trichomoniasis." Samples in transit for more than 48 hours will not be accepted for official culture testing. During transportation, the organisms should be protected from exposure to daylight and extremes of temperature, which should remain above 15 degrees Celsius (59 degrees Fahrenheit) and below 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit).
2. (2) Official Polymerase Chain Reaction Tests. Polymerase Chain Reaction is accepted as an official test or an official confirmatory test when completed by a qualified laboratory, approved by the Executive Director, and the sample is received in good condition by the laboratory within 48 hours after collection, or is incubated by the collecting veterinarian for 48 hours after collection, then submitted to arrive at the laboratory within 120 hours of collection. Trichomoniasis samples pooled at the laboratory may qualify as official tests at a ratio of up to five individually collected samples pooled for one test. Veterinary practitioners may not submit pooled samples for an official test.
3. (3) Other Official Tests. Other tests for Trichomoniasis may be approved by the Commission, as official tests, after the tests have been proven effective by research, have been evaluated sufficiently to determine efficacy, and a protocol for use of the test has been established.

Source Note:The provisions of this §38.6 adopted to be effective January 1, 2010, 34 TexReg 1977; amended to be effective August 14, 2011, 36 TexReg 5090; amended to be effective February 5, 2013, 38 TexReg 494.