primate assay data sheet
Human
herpesviruses 6, 7 and 8
Test codes:
S0043 - Ultrasensitive qualitative
detection of human herpesvirus type 6 by real time PCR. This
assay detects but does not differentiate subtypes 6A and 6B.
S0044 - Ultrasensitive qualitative detection of human herpesvirus type 7
by real time PCR
S0049 - Ultrasensitive qualitative detection of human
herpesvirus type 8 by real time PCR
Human herpesvirus 6
(HHV-6) is double-stranded DNA virus belonging to the
betaherpesvirinae subfamily. There are two major subtypes of
this virus: human herpesvirus 6A (HHV-6A) and human herpesvirus
6B (HHV-6B). Human is the primary host of this virus.
HHV-6A has been described as more neurovirulent, and is more
frequently found in patients with neuroinflammatory diseases
such as multiple sclerosis.
HHV-6B primary infection is the cause of the common childhood
disease, exanthem subitum (also known as roseola infantum or
sixth disease). Additionally, HHV-6B reactivation is common in
transplant recipients and immunocompromised patients, and can
cause clinical manifestations including encephalitis, bone
marrow suppression and pneumonitis.
Cynomolgus monkeys and African green monkeys can be infected
experimentally with HHV-6, and thus they are used as animal
models to study the infection.
Serological diagnosis of HHV-6 active infection is not very
useful because most people have had prior exposure to the virus.
However, molecular detection by PCR provides rapid, highly
sensitive and highly specific detection of the presence of the
virus.
Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8), also known as Kaposi’s
sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), is a double-stranded DNA
virus belonging to the Herpesviridae family. Infection by the
virus can cause Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS), primary effusion lymphoma
(PEL) and a subset of Multicentric Castleman’s disease (MCD).
HHV-8 can infect B cells, endothelial cells, CD34+ cells, and
monocytic cells.
Transmission of HHV-8 can occur through sexual contact or
non-sexual routes. Seroprevalence in the United States in the
general population is 5-10%, but is higher in certain groups,
such as homosexual men, and in other geographic regions such as
the Mediterranean, South America and Africa.
Viruses related to HHV-8 have been detected in several primate
species. Sequence analysis of HHV-8 related viral DNA isolated
from these monkeys showed ~97% homology to HHV-8, suggesting
that this virus may cross-infect between species
(Colombini-Hatch et al, 1999).
Serological detection of HHV-8 antibody can be used to identify
individuals exposed to the virus. Molecular detection by PCR is
used to confirm the presence of the virus in samples from
animals suspected to be infected.
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
-
Safety monitoring of biological products and vaccines that
derive from primates
Specimen requirement: 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
Methodology: Qualitative real
time PCR
Normal range: Nondetected