equine assay data sheet
Horsepox virus (HSPV)
Test code:
S0173 - Ultrasensitive qualitative detection of horsepox virus by
real time polymerase chain reaction.
Horsepox is a disease caused by a poxvirus in the genus
Orthopoxvirus, which also includes cowpox and vaccinia viruses.
Horses of all ages can be infected with this virus. Infected
horses develop typical pox lesions on the lower limbs or around
the muzzle. Two main forms of classical horsepox disease are
recognized: the buccal form and the ‘grease’ form. The buccal
form is clinically more severe than the grease form because
infected horses with the grease form may not be systemically
ill.
The disease is often transmitted by direct contact with an
infected host or with contaminated grooming equipment or other
fomites. However, the virus may also gain access to the body via
the respiratory tract. Upon infection, the virus may disseminate
to skin and other target organs. The virus causes degenerative
changes in the epithelium due to virus replication, resulting in
the development of vesicular lesions.
Diagnosis of horsepox infection may be by the
presentation of symptoms. Confirmation of the diagnosis was
traditionally done using culture, but this method is slow.
However, confirmation by PCR is rapid, specific and sensitive
(Brum
Mário
et
al, 2010).
Utilities:
-
Help confirm the disease causing agent
-
Distinguish between horsepox and other vesicular diseases
-
Shorten the time required to confirm a clinical
diagnosis of horsepox infection.
-
Help ensure that herds are free of horsepox
-
Early prevention of spread of this virus
-
Minimize personnel exposure to this virus
-
Safety monitoring of biological products that derive
from horses
References:
Brum
Mário, C.S., dos Anjos Bruno, L., Nogueira Carlos, E.W., Amaral,
L.A., Weiblen, R. and Flores, E.F. (2010)
An Outbreak of
Orthopoxvirus-Associated
Disease in Horses in Southern Brazil.
J. VET. Diagn. Invest.
22:143-147.
Specimen requirements:
Lesion swab, 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
real time PCR
Normal range:
Nondetected
