Pseudorabies

Test code: S0121 - Ultrasensitive qualitative detection of pseudorabies virus by real time polymerase chain reaction

Pseudorabies is a highly endemic swine disease in most parts of the world. It is caused by porcine herpesvirus 1, which is also called pseudorabies virus (PRV), suid herpesvirus-1 (SHV-1), or Aujeszky's disease virus. In cattle, it is sometimes called mad itch disease virus. PRV is considered the most economically important viral disease of swine in areas where hog cholera has been eradicated.

There are many secondary hosts of pseudorabies, including dogs, cats, cattle, rats and horses, but not humans. Secondary hosts are infected through direct contact with swine, rats, and other infected secondary hosts and by eating infected uncooked pork.

Infected swine are usually asymptomatic, but PRV can cause abortion and high mortality in piglets. In some piglets and mature pigs, coughing, sneezing, fever, constipation, depression, seizures, ataxia, circling, and excess salivation can be observed. Mortality in piglets less than one month of age is close to 100 percent, but it is less than 10 percent in pigs between one and six months of age. In cattle infected with this virus, intense itching can result, followed by neurological signs and death. In dogs, symptoms include intense itching, jaw and pharyngeal paralysis, howling and death. In cats, the disease is so rapidly fatal that there are usually no symptoms.

Although the virus does not infect humans, this virus could pose significant risk to xenotransplantation of organs derived from pigs. Studies in experimental animals have shown that the virus can rapidly spread in the central nervous system.

Detection of the virus can be performed by serology assays, but false positive results have been reported (Jacobs et al., 1999). Molecular detection of viral DNA by PCR is a useful alternative because the method is rapid, sensitive and specific.

Utilities:

• Confirm the disease causing agent
• Identify pseudorabies carriers
• Ensure that animal groups and populations are free of pseudorabies virus
• Early prevention of spread of the virus among animals
• Minimize human exposure to the virus
• Safety monitoring of biological products that derive from animals

References:
Jacobs, L., Voets, R. and Bianchi, A.T.J. (1999) Detection of pseudorabies virus DNA in individual single-reactor pigs found in certified pseudorabies-free herds. Res. Vet. Sci. 67: 305-307.

Specimen requirements: 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

Methodology: Qualitative real time PCR

Normal range: Nondetected