ELISA tests for primate screening

A0002 - Detection of antibodies to simian retrovirus (SRV) type D, serogroups 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 in macaques
A0003 - Detection of antibodies to herpes B virus in macaques
A0004 - Detection of antibodies to simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) in macaques
A0005 - Detection of antibodies to simian T-cell lymphotropic virus (STLV) in macaques
A0006 - Detection of antibodies to measles virus in macaques
A0007 - Detection of total antibodies to hepatitis A virus in nonhuman primates
A0008 - Detection of total antibodies to hepatitis B virus in nonhuman primates
A0009 - Detection of total antibodies to hepatitis C virus in nonhuman primates

Zoologix also performs PCR tests for all the above pathogens.

To maintain and improve the quality of nonhuman primates used in biomedical research, and to protect occupational safety and animal health, the establishment and maintenance of specific pathogen free (SPF) breeding colonies of macaques (genus Macaca) has always been a priority. Four pathogens in particular are often targeted for screening in NHP breeding programs: SRV, SIV, STLV and Herpes B. Repeated screening by immunoassay is normally performed for each of these, along with repeated PCR screening for SRV. PCR is also used as a confirmatory or adjunct test for SIV, STLV and Herpes B.

Simian type D retrovirus (SRV) is enzootic in many Asian macaque populations, where it is associated with immunodeficiency diseases. Many infected monkeys are asymptomatic carriers of the virus. The virus can cause animal fatalities and confound preclinical trials and other experimental protocols.

Two other simian retroviruses, simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) and simian T-cell leukemia/lymphotropic virus (STLV), are also commonly screened in SPF monkey colonies. Like SRV, these viruses can significantly compromise the primate immune system and cause fatal outcomes in monkeys subject to experimentation.

Sensitive and specific screening tests can identify macaques infected with exogenous SIV, STLV, and SRV. A testing algorithm of repeated antibody screening by enzyme immunoassay plus molecular detection by PCR has proven useful for identification and exclusion of these retroviruses from monkey colonies (Buchl et al., 1997; Lerche et al., 1994, 1997)

Herpes B virus, which is widespread in many macaque populations, is a significant health threat to primate care personnel. The virus is normally asymptomatic in macaques, but human infection with this virus is often fatal. Monkeys immunocompromised by experimental retrovirus infection and drug treatment are more likely to become B virus shedders. Although B virus is the most challenging infection to eliminate from an SPF population, active screening by serological testing plus molecular detection in suspicious cases can help to eliminate the virus from colonies. (Buchl et al., 1997).

Utilities:

Help confirm the disease causing agent
Help ensure that animal colonies are free of these viruses
Early prevention of spread of these viruses among a colony
Minimize personnel exposure to these viruses
Elimination of confounding infections from experimental protocols
Safety monitoring of biological products and vaccines that derive from primates

References:
Lerche, N.W. Yee, J.L. and Jennings, M.B. (1994) Establishing specific retrovirus-free breeding colonies of macaques: an approach to primary screening and surveillance. Lab Anim Sci. 44:217-221.
Lerche, N.W., Cotterman, R.F., Dobson, M.D., Yee, J.L., Rosenthal, A.N. and Heneine, W.M. (1997) Screening for simian type-D retrovirus infection in macaques, using nested polymerase chain reaction. Lab Anim Sci. 47:263-268.
Buchl, S.J., Keeling, M.E., Voss, W.R. (1997) Establishing Specific Pathogen-Free (SPF) Nonhuman Primate Colonies. ILAR J. 38:22-27.

Specimen requirements: 0.5 ml whole blood in EDTA (purple top) or ACD (yellow top) tube, or 0.5 ml serum or plasma.

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: Antibody detection by Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay

Normal range: Nondetected