rodent and rabbit assay data sheet

Mouse hepatitis virus (MHV)

Test code: S0034 - Ultrasensitive qualitative detection of mouse hepatitis virus by reverse transcription coupled real time PCR

 S0034 is included on P0029 - Mouse Essentials Panel and on P0032 Mouse Minipanel

Mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) is single-stranded RNA virus of the family Coronaviridae. MHV is not a single virus but consists of a group of serologically and genetically related but distinct strains. About 25 strains have been reported. Strains are characterized by cross-neutralization tests with known strains, but these serologic relationships do not correlate with pathogenicity. The best studied strains are the "prototype strains" MHV-1, MHV-2, MHV-3, JHM, A59 and S, of which MHV-3 is regarded as the most virulent. Field isolates often differ more or less from these. MHV mutates rapidly and there may be a large possible number of "strains". Strains differ in tropisms, tendency to disseminate, and virulence. Although infection generally causes no significant clinical symptoms, especially in adult mice, it can dramatically affect the immune system of the animal, complicating interpretation of many experimental results.

MHV is extremely contagious and is transmitted primarily via aerosol, direct contact and fomites. Mice with active infection shed virus in feces and in oral and nasal secretions.

Adult rodents infected with the virus are usually asymptomatic carriers. Specific clinical signs depend on the strain and are most evident in infant mice. Typical symptoms may include diarrhea, poor growth, and death. Immunodeficient mice, such as athymic nude mice, can develop a wasting disease as a result of the infection that eventually leads to death.

Diagnosis can be based on ELISA or other serological techniques, but these are inadequate in acute outbreaks because infected mice may not develop ELISA-detectable antibodies for up to 10 or more days following initial exposure. Rapid spread of the virus through a colony can thus occur if the infection is unnoticed. To protect against such cases, direct detection by highly sensitive and specific reverse transcription coupled PCR is useful.

Utilities:

• Confirm the disease causing agent
• Shorten the time required to confirm a clinical diagnosis of MHV
• Ensure that vivariums are free of mouse hepatitis virus
• Early prevention of spread of mouse hepatitis virus among a vivarium
• Minimize human exposure to this virus
• Safety monitoring of biological products that derive from mice

Specimen requirements: Fecal pellet, or oral swab.

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

Methodology: Qualitative reverse transcription coupled real time polymerase chain reaction

Normal range: Nondetected