dog and cat assay data sheet

RD-114 virus

Test code: S0240 - Ultrasensitive qualitative detection of feline endogenous virus RD114 by reverse transcription coupled real time polymerase chain reaction

RD-114 virus is a retrovirus discovered in 1971 from a human tumor cell line (RD-114 cells). This cell line was derived from a human rhabdomyosarcoma after passage through fetal cats. Sequence analysis of the virus reveals that the virus is an endogenous retrovirus that has been incorporated in the feline genome. It is therefore not a human exogenous retrovirus.

All domestic cats are assumed to have the RD-114 viral genome integrated. Although reactivation of the endogenous virus is not common, several feline cell lines have been shown to produce RD-114-related viruses. For example, a widely used feline cell line, Crandell-Rees feline kidney (CRFK) cells, actively produces infectious RD-114 viral particles. Recent studies have found that certain live attenuated vaccines for dogs are contaminated with infectious RD114 virus, which casts worries about the biological safety of these vaccines. Although experimental infection of dogs with RD-114 does not cause any significant immediate clinical symptoms to the dogs, long term effects have not been fully characterized.

Detection of this virus is currently by PCR, which offers high sensitivity and specificity.

Utilities:

• Detect the presence of this virus in cell lines and veterinary vaccines
• Detect the presence of this virus in susceptible animals

References:
Narushima, R., Shimazaki, T. and Takahashi, T. (2011) Development of a real-time reverse-transcription-PCR method for detection of RD114 virus in canine vaccines. Biologicals. 39:89-93

Specimen requirement: 0.2 ml cell culture or vaccine, or 0.2 ml whole blood in EDTA (purple top) tube

Contact Zoologix if advice is needed to determine an appropriate specimen type for a specific diagnostic application. For specimen types not listed here, please contact Zoologix 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