primate assay data sheet
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:
-
Help confirm the disease causing agent
-
Help 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: 0.2 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 PCR
Normal range:
Nondetected