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rodent and rabbit assay data sheet
Mousepox virus (aka ectromelia, EV, ECTV, ECTR or ECTRO)
Test code:
S0144 -
Ultrasensitive qualitative detection of mousepox virus by real
time PCR
S0144 is
included on P0029 - Mouse
Essentials Panel
Mousepox virus, also known as ectromelia virus, is a
double-stranded DNA
virus belonging to the poxvirus family. The virus replicates in
the cell cytoplasm and it encodes its own replication and
transcription machinery. Members of the poxvirus family include
variola virus, one of the most virulent human pathogens that
caused smallpox, and vaccinia virus, the smallpox vaccine.
The mousepox
virus is a highly contagious pathogen of mice and rats that
causes mousepox, a severe disease with high mortality rate.
Outbreaks in laboratory mouse colonies have often been reported
and have caused serious disruptions in biomedical research.
Close contact
among mice and rats can spread the virus easily. Natural
infections can occur via the fecal-oral route and urine
contamination. Newly infected mice may develop pustules in
approximately 10 days which often resemble bite marks. Resulting
necrosis may lead to the loss of digits and limbs and
destruction of liver and lymphoid tissue. Mortality is very high
and can reach 100%. Many infected animals, however, may develop
latent infections with no clinical symptoms which can be
reactivated by stressors such as irradiation and transport. Upon
necropsy an enlarged spleen and intestinal hemorrhaging are
often noted.
Diagnosis of
the disease has often been based on its distinctive lesions
(Roberts and Carter, 1976) but this approach is not reliable
because some latently-infected mice and rats may not have
symptoms. Serological detection may indicate prior exposure but
cannot confirm the current presence of virus in those
latently-infected rodents. Molecular detection is a rapid,
sensitive and specific method to detect and confirm the presence
of mousepox virus.
Utilities:
-
Confirm the disease causing agent
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Shorten the time required to confirm a clinical
diagnosis of mousepox
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Ensure that vivariums are free of mousepox virus
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Early prevention of spread of this virus among a
vivarium
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Minimize personnel exposure to this virus
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Safety monitoring of biological products that derive
from rodents
References:
Roberts, W.A. and Carter, G.A.(1976) Essentials of veterinary
virology, p. 171. Michigan State University Press, East Lansing,
Mich.
Specimen requirements:
Fecal pellet, or 0.2 ml fresh, frozen or fixed tissue, or skin
scrapings, or 0.2 ml whole blood in EDTA (purple top) or ACD
(yellow top) tube, or 0.2 ml urine.
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
real time polymerase chain reaction
Normal range: Nondetected
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