FROM THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

By this time, you are probably aware that the search for a department chair for the Department of Veterinary Pathobiology continues. Therefore, Dr. Thacker is continuing in his role as Interim Chair of this department, as I continue in the role of Interim Director of the ADDL.

This last year has been a very busy and productive one for all of the faculty and staff of the ADDL. Our annual report of the two laboratories (ADDL-WL and ADDL-SIPAC) indicates a healthy growth of a 19% increase in accessions with significant increased testing requests of mammalian necropsies at ADDL-SIPAC as well as histopathology and toxicology at the West Lafayette laboratory. The total diagnostic examinations at the two laboratories decreased 4.5% during the year to 531,311. This decrease was due primarily to decreased test requests for brucellosis, since Indiana has attained brucellosis-free status. The faculty and staff remain committed to fulfilling their mission of providing the best animal diagnostic services available as well as preparing for the future by continuously providing more modern testing technologies. This issue contains an update of those new tests which the ADDL is providing (see New Fee Schedule and Dr. Wu's articles on APPserology and swine enteric pathogens).

By the time this newsletter reaches you, the leaves will be changing colors, and perhaps beginning to fall, the days will be a little shorter, the nights a little longer and cooler, and the crops will be in the process of being harvested. We hope that you enjoy this upcoming Fall Season as well as this newsletter. As always, remember we are here to provide diagnostic service to you, so if we can be of assistance, please don't hesitate to give us a call.