Canine parvovirus PCR test
dog and cat assay data sheet
Canine
parvovirus (CPV)
Test code:
S0091 - Ultrasensitive qualitative detection of canine parvovirus
by real time polymerase chain reaction
S0091 is included
on P0022 - canine diarrhea panel
and on P0028 - feline diarrhea panel
Canine parvovirus
(CPV) is a highly contagious viral infection in dogs and cats. The
virus is transmitted by oral ingestion of viral contaminated feces.
Several studies have shown that canine parvovirus and feline
panleukopenia virus may undergo mutual interspecies transmission
between dogs and cats, and it is postulated that they may cause
disease in some adventitious hosts.
The incidence of
the disease is highest in young dogs and tends to start some time
after the puppy has lost its maternal antibody. Any age can be
infected but most dogs are infected between the ages of 2 and 6 months
when maternal antibody decreases below a protective level. Symptoms
are usually mild to nonexistent. However, a full blown case of
parvovirus untreated can easily be fatal. Certain breeds such as
Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, and possibly black Labrador
retrievers seem to be more sensitive to the disease, which may have a
correlation with their immune system.
Once inside the
body, the virus infects local lymph nodes, quickly multiplies and then
via the blood moves to the small intestine where signs of the disease
begin in approximately 5-6 days. The virus damages the lining of the
small intestine leading to breakdown of crucial disease defense
barriers and disturbance of digestive enzyme secretion and nutrient
absorption. Additionally, the normal bacterial flora of the small
intestine which aid in digestion are now exposed to ulcerated mucosa,
providing a direct route into the blood stream. Fluid loss from both
vomiting and diarrhea is dramatic and dehydration ensues. The
onslaught of bacteria and toxins into the blood will ultimately cause
death.
Because of the
severity of parvovirus-induced disease and the highly contagious
nature of the virus, several assays have been developed to detect the
virus in the feces of infected dogs. Usually, feces from diarrheic
dogs are screened using ELISA or hemagglutination (HA) assays, but
these techniques have very low sensitivity. In contrast, methods based
on detection of viral DNA by PCR have been shown to be more sensitive
and specific.
Utilities:
-
Help confirm the disease causing agent
-
Help ensure that animal groups and populations are free of
canine parvovirus
-
Early prevention of spread of this virus among a
population
-
Minimize human exposure to this virus
-
Safety monitoring of biological products and vaccines
that derive from susceptible animals
Specimen
requirement: 0.2 ml whole blood in EDTA (purple top) tube, or 0.2 ml feces, or rectal swab, or 0.2 ml fresh, frozen or fixed tissue.
Contact Zoologix if advice is needed to determine an appropriate specimen type for a specific diagnostic application. For specimen types not listed here, please contact Zoologix 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 real time PCR
Normal range:
Nondetected
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