rodent and rabbit assay data sheet
Reovirus type 3 (REO3)
Test code:
S0101 -
Ultrasensitive qualitative detection of reovirus type 3 by
reverse transcription coupled real time PCR
Reovirus type 3
(Reo-3) can infect many different rodent species and is
prevalent in laboratory rodent colonies. It is a common
contaminant of transplantable tumor cell lines and other
biological materials.
Infection of
neonatal mice with Reo-3 can lead to a multi-systematic disease
that is characterized by necrotizing hepatitis, myocarditis,
pancreatitis, and meningoencephalitis. Steatorrhoea often
develops secondary to liver disease and results in “oily skin”
appearance.
Reo-3 virus can
be transmitted between animals by aerosol and fecal–oral routes,
and fomite transmission is possible because the virus is
environmentally stable. One infected animal can easily lead to
rapid outbreak of the disease and therefore rapid diagnosis is
essential to prevent transmission through an animal facility.
Several methods
are currently employed to detect Reo-3 infection in rodents and
contaminated biological materials. Serological detection of
anti-viral antibodies has typically been used to diagnose Reo-3
infection in rodents. However, serological assays cannot detect
virus infections directly in immunodeficient strains of rodents
that do not generate a humoral immune response, and even in
immunocompetent rodents the time needed for seroconversion is
too long for rapid diagnosis of the disease.
Molecular
detection by real time PCR, on the other hand, has proven to be
a useful technique for detection of Reo-3 (Steele, 1995), as it
is highly sensitive and also very specific. Unlike serology
testing, there is no cross-reactivity with other similar
viruses. Real time PCR is also an attractive alternative to the
rodent antibody production (RAP) test for detection of Reo-3
contamination in biological materials (Compton & Riley 2001).
Compared to RAP testing, real time PCR offers faster turnaround
time and lower cost.
Utilities:
-
Help confirm the disease causing agent
-
Shorten the time required to confirm a clinical
diagnosis of Reo-3
-
Help ensure that vivariums are free of Reo-3
-
Early prevention of spread of this virus among a
vivarium
-
Minimize personnel exposure to this virus
-
Safety monitoring of biological products that derive
from mice
References:
Compton, S.R. and Riley, L.K. (2001) Detection of infectious
agents in laboratory rodents: traditional and molecular
techniques. Comparative Medicine 51:113–119.
Steele, M.I.
(1995) Reovirus 3 not detected by reverse transcriptase-mediated
polymerase chain reaction analysis of preserved tissue from
infants with cholestatic liver disease. Hepatology 21: 697–702.
Specimen requirements:
Fecal pellet, or nasal or tracheal swab, or 0.2 ml fresh, frozen
or fixed tissue,
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