wildlife and zoo assay data sheet

Ranavirus screen

Test code: S0145 - Ultrasensitive qualitative detection of ranavirus by real time PCR.

S0145 is included in P0031 - amphibian screening panel

Ranaviruses are large viruses with linear and double-stranded DNAs, icosahedral capsids and lipid membranes. They replicate in the nucleus and cytoplasm of host cells.

Ranaviruses can infect fish, amphibians and other vertebrates (Chinchar, 2002). Infection of larval salamanders with these viruses results in high mortality rates. Ranavirus infection usually occurs in late summer or early autumn, and recurs annually in some locations.

Amphibians infected with Ranaviruses develop generalized viremia resulting in edema, papules, lesions, and bloody exudate from the vent. Necrosis of the liver, spleen, kidney and hematopoietic tissues may result in death after 7–14 days of infection.

Viral transmission between animals can occur through close physical contact, contact with infected water or ingestion of infected carcasses. Vertical transmission of virus from infected adults to eggs is unknown, and the virus does not appear to have a reservoir host.

Serological detection and culture detection of these viruses are both time-consuming and not very sensitive. Molecular detection of the viruses by PCR can be useful because it provides high sensitivity, high specificity and fast turnaround time.

Utilities:

• Confirm the disease causing agent
• Shorten the time required to confirm a clinical diagnosis of ranavirus
• Ensure that animal facilities or amphibian populations are free of ranaviruses
• Early prevention of spread of ranaviruses in a facility or geographic area
• Minimize human exposure to ranaviruses
• Safety monitoring of biological products that derive from susceptible animals

References:
Chinchar, V.G. (2002) Ranaviruses (family Iridoviridae): Emerging cold-blooded killers—Brief review. Arch. of Virol. 147: 447–470.

Specimen requirements:  Skin or vent swab, or environmental swab, or 0.5 ml water, tissue or culture.

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