Coronaviruses are RNA viruses that mutate quickly to adapt to
different environments.
This significantly increases their potential for
interspecies transmission. SARS (severe acute respiratory
syndrome) is an example of zoonotic infection of
humans by a group 2b coronavirus.
Coronaviruses have now been recognized as important pathogens in
several captive or wild ruminant species in the United States
(Alekseev et al., 2008), including white-tailed deer (Odocoileus
virginianus), elk (Cervus elephus), sambar
deer (Cervus unicolor) and waterbuck (Kobus
ellipsiprymnus). In addition, some caribou (Rangifer
tarandus), musk oxen (Ovibus moschatus) and
sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekei) have been found to be
seropositive for coronavirus.
Coronavirus
infection can result in clinically mild-to-severe and
sometimes bloody diarrhea. Similarly, coronaviruses have also
been shown to cause diarrhea in many ruminants, including
cattle, horses, deer and antelopes. In cattle, coronavirus
infection can also cause respiratory symptoms.
Serological
detection of coronaviruses has low sensitivity and is not very
specific. However, PCR detection of coronaviruses can provide
rapid, specific and sensitive determination of the presence of
the virus.
Utilities:
-
Confirm the disease causing agent
-
Ensure that animal groups and populations are free of
coronaviruses
-
Early prevention of spread of these viruses among a
population
-
Minimize human exposure to the virus
References:
Alekseev, K.P., Vlasova, A.N., Jung, K., Hasoksuz, M., Zhang,
X., Halpin, R., Wang, S., Ghedin, E., Spiro, D. and Saif, L.J.
(2008) Bovine-like coronaviruses isolated from four species of
captive wild ruminants are homologous to bovine coronaviruses,
based on complete genomic sequences. J Virol. 82:12422-12431.
Specimen requirements:
0.5 ml feces, or fecal swab, or nasopharyngeal 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 PCR
Normal range:
Nondetected
