rodent and rabbit assay data sheet
Mouse hepatitis virus (MHV)
Test
code:
S0034 - Ultrasensitive qualitative detection of mouse hepatitis
virus by reverse transcription coupled real time PCR
S0034
is included on P0029 - Mouse
Essentials Panel and on
P0032 Mouse Minipanel
Mouse
hepatitis virus (MHV) is single-stranded RNA virus of the family
Coronaviridae. MHV is not a single virus but consists of a group
of serologically and genetically related but distinct strains.
About 25 strains have been reported. Strains are characterized
by cross-neutralization tests with known strains, but these
serologic relationships do not correlate with pathogenicity. The
best studied strains are the "prototype strains" MHV-1, MHV-2,
MHV-3, JHM, A59 and S, of which MHV-3 is regarded as the most
virulent. Field isolates often differ more or less from these.
MHV mutates rapidly and there may be a large possible number of
"strains". Strains differ in tropisms, tendency to disseminate,
and virulence. Although infection generally causes no
significant clinical symptoms, especially in adult mice, it can
dramatically affect the immune system of the animal,
complicating interpretation of many experimental results.
MHV is
extremely contagious and is transmitted primarily via aerosol,
direct contact and fomites. Mice with active infection shed
virus in feces and in oral and nasal secretions.
Adult
rodents infected with the virus are usually asymptomatic
carriers. Specific clinical signs depend on the strain and are
most evident in infant mice. Typical symptoms may include
diarrhea, poor growth, and death. Immunodeficient mice, such as
athymic nude mice, can develop a wasting disease as a result of
the infection that eventually leads to death.
Diagnosis
can be based on ELISA or other serological techniques, but these
are inadequate in acute outbreaks because infected mice may not
develop ELISA-detectable antibodies for up to 10 or more days
following initial exposure. Rapid spread of the virus through a
colony can thus occur if the infection is unnoticed. To protect
against such cases, direct detection by highly sensitive and
specific reverse transcription coupled PCR is useful.
Utilities:
-
Help confirm the disease causing agent
-
Shorten the time required to confirm a clinical
diagnosis of MHV
-
Help ensure that vivariums are free of mouse hepatitis virus
-
Early prevention of spread of mouse hepatitis virus
among a vivarium
-
Minimize human exposure to this virus
-
Safety monitoring of biological products that derive
from mice
Specimen requirements:
Fecal pellet, or oral swab,
or 0.2 ml cell culture.
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 polymerase chain
reaction
Normal range:
Nondetected
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