avian & livestock assay data sheet

Coronaviruses

Test code: S0140 - Ultrasensitive qualitative detection of various coronaviruses by reverse transcription coupled real time PCR. This assay detects but does not differentiate bovine coronaviruses and coronaviruses of several other animal species.

Coronaviruses are RNA viruses that mutate quickly to adapt to different environments.  This significantly increases their potential for interspecies transmission. SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) is an example of zoonotic infection of humans by a group 2b coronavirus.

Coronaviruses have now been recognized as important pathogens in several captive or wild ruminant species in the United States (Alekseev et al., 2008), including white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), elk (Cervus elephus), sambar deer (Cervus unicolor) and waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus). In addition, some caribou (Rangifer tarandus), musk oxen (Ovibus moschatus) and sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekei) have been found to be seropositive for coronavirus.

Coronavirus infection can result in clinically mild-to-severe and sometimes bloody diarrhea. Similarly, coronaviruses have also been shown to cause diarrhea in many ruminants, including cattle, horses, deer and antelopes. In cattle, coronavirus infection can also cause respiratory symptoms.

Serological detection of coronaviruses has low sensitivity and is not very specific. However, PCR detection of coronaviruses can provide rapid, specific and sensitive determination of the presence of the virus.

Utilities:

• Confirm the disease causing agent
• Ensure that animal groups and populations are free of coronaviruses
• Early prevention of spread of these viruses among a population
• Minimize human exposure to the virus

References:
Alekseev, K.P., Vlasova, A.N., Jung, K., Hasoksuz, M., Zhang, X., Halpin, R., Wang, S., Ghedin, E., Spiro, D. and Saif, L.J. (2008) Bovine-like coronaviruses isolated from four species of captive wild ruminants are homologous to bovine coronaviruses, based on complete genomic sequences. J Virol. 82:12422-12431.

Specimen requirements:  0.5 ml feces, or fecal swab, or nasopharyngeal swab

For specimen types other than those listed here, please call to confirm specimen acceptability and shipping instructions.

For all specimen types, if there will be a delay in shipping, or during very warm weather, refrigerate specimens until shipped and ship with a cold pack unless more stringent shipping requirements are specified. Frozen specimens should be shipped so as to remain frozen in transit. See shipping instructions for more information.

Turnaround time: 2 business days

Methodology: Qualitative reverse transcription coupled real time PCR

Normal range: Nondetected