Simian agent 8 (SA8)

Test code: S0026 - Qualitative detection of simian agent 8 (SA8) by polymerase chain reaction

Simian agent 8 (SA8) is an alphaherpesvirus that was first reported as a spontaneous natural infection in a captive baboon colony in 1988. It was first isolated from an African vervet monkey in 1958 and was classified as a simian agent. Simian agent 8 was later isolated from a baboon rectal swab specimen in 1969 and from an oral lesion in a vervet monkey in 1972.

SA8 is an economically important disease entity in captive baboons because it causes severe morbidity, decreased reproductive performance, and ultimately death in 1% of the baboon colony each year. The baboon is a promising animal model in which to study genital herpes as it relates to disease in human beings.

Although virus isolation can be used to assess SA8 infection, a long incubation period is required to obtain results. Viral culture also increases the potential risk of laboratory personnel contacting this virus. The close antigenic relationship of herpes B virus to human herpes strains (H. hominis) and SA8 (a baboon herpesvirus) makes serologic differentiation extremely difficult, but necessary. Complicating the differential diagnosis is the frequent infection of simian species with human strains. Thus, serological detection of SA8 infection is not very reliable, sensitive or specific. Molecular, PCR-based detection is the preferred diagnostic technique.

SA8 detection by PCR is the most rapid, sensitive and specific method for the diagnosis of this infection.

Utilities:

• Confirm the disease causing agent
• Ensure that animal colonies are free of SA8
• 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 monkeys

Specimen requirement: 0.5 ml whole blood in EDTA (purple top) or ACD (yellow top) tube.

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

Methodologies: Qualitative PCR

Normal range: Nondetected