primate assay data sheet
Marburg virus
Test code:
S0150 -
Ultrasensitive
qualitative detection of Marburg virus by reverse transcription
coupled real time polymerase chain reaction
Assay S0150 is also included on
filovirus panel P0033.
Marburg virus is a
single-stranded, negative sense RNA virus belonging to the
Marburgvirus genus, which contains one
species, Lake Victoria
marburgvirus. The virus causes the disease
Marburg Hemorrhagic
Fever (MHF), or
Marburg Virus Disease. Marburg virus was first discovered
in Central and East Africa, and was found to infect both human
and nonhuman primates. The Marburg virus belongs to
Filoviridae,
the same taxonomic family as Ebola virus.
The virus can be
transmitted through blood, saliva, excrement, vomit and other
bodily fluids. Early symptoms of viral infection are often
non-specific and usually include fever, headache and muscle
ache. Maculopapular rash is often present on the trunk after
five days of infection. This progresses into acute symptoms
which include jaundice, pancreatitis, weight loss, delirium and
neuropsychiatric symptoms, hemorrhaging, hypovolemic shock and
multi-organ failure. Currently, there is no specific treatment
for infected patients and supportive care is the only option.
The fatality rate is from 23% to over 90% (1, 2).
Marburg virus is a
biosafety class IV agent. Caretakers of animals that are
suspected to be infected should take appropriate precautions.
Serological detection
of Marburg virus can be slow because antibody response may take
some time to develop. However, PCR is a rapid, highly sensitive
and highly specific technique for detection of this virus.
Utilities:
-
Help confirm the disease causing agent
-
Help ensure that animal colonies are free of Marburg virus
-
Early prevention of spread of the virus among a colony
-
Minimize personnel exposure to the virus
-
Safety monitoring of biological products and vaccines
that derive from primates
References:
1.
World
Health Organization (2005) Marburg virus disease, Angola. Wkly
Epidemiol Rec 80: 115–117.
2.
Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (2005) Outbreak of Marburg
virus hemorrhagic fever-Angola, October 1, 2004–March 29. Morb
Mortal Wkly Rep 54: 308–309.
Specimen requirements: 0.2 ml whole blood in EDTA (purple top) tube, or 0.2 ml plasma or serum.
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 reverse transcription coupled real time PCR
Normal range:
Nondetected
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