primate assay data sheet
Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1)
Test code:
S0029 - Ultrasensitive qualitative detection of herpes simplex virus type 1
(HSV-1) by real time polymerase chain reaction
Herpes
simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) is a member of the alpha herpesviruses,
a group of viruses that has undergone extensive cospeciation
with its primate hosts. Among the herpesviruses, HSV-1 has a
broad range of cross-species infectivity and demonstrates
considerable variation in disease expression in different hosts.
Infection of human with HSV-1 is usually inapparent or causes
mild, recurrent orofacial lesions. In nonhuman primates,
fatalities were reported in the 1960s and 1970s following
natural infection with a strain of HSV that was probably HSV-1
in splenectomized white-handed gibbons (Hylobates
lar), owl monkeys (Aotus
trivirgatus), tree shrews (Tupaia
glis), and lemurs (Lemur
catta), and experimentally in tamarins (Saguinus
oedipus). More recently, HSV-1 was shown to cause
mild or asymptomatic infections in gorillas (Gorilla
gorilla), orangutans (Pongo
pygmaeus), chimpanzees (Pan
troglodytes), and gibbon apes (Hylobates
spp.), although one case of fatal disseminated
disease was reported in a white-handed gibbon.
Although
virus isolation can be used to diagnose HSV-1 virus infection
and determine carrier status, it is not very sensitive or
specific, and viral culture increases the potential risk of
laboratory staff contacting this virus. Serological testing for
HSV-1 is difficult because of the close antigenic relation among
different herpesviruses.
HSV-1
detection by PCR is the most rapid, sensitive and specific
method for diagnosis of this infection and confirmation of
carrier status.
Utilities:
-
Help confirm the disease causing agent
-
Help ensure that animal colonies are free of HSV-1
-
Early prevention of spread of this virus among a colony
-
Minimize personnel exposure to this virus
-
Safety monitoring of biological products and vaccines
that derive from primates
Specimen requirement:
Lesion swab, or conjunctival swab, or 0.2 ml whole blood in EDTA
(purple top) tube.
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
Methodologies:
Qualitative real time PCR
Normal range:
Nondetected