avian & livestock assay data sheet

Porcine adenovirus

Test code: S0169 - Ultrasensitive qualitative detection of common serotypes of porcine adenovirus by real time polymerase chain reaction

Porcine adenovirus is a double-stranded DNA virus belonging to the Adenoviridae family. Infection of swine with this virus usually produces very mild or subclinical symptoms. However, it may cause gastrointestinal disease in young pigs and is thought to contribute to multifactorial porcine respiratory disease complexes. At least six serotypes have been identified and transmission occurs mainly by the fecal-oral route. Because infected pigs are usually asymptomatic, a high percentage of pigs can be carriers of the virus and there is a widespread exposure of pigs to this virus (Elazhary et al., 1985).

Diagnosis of this viral infection can be accomplished using culture or serological methods. However, molecular detection by PCR provides high sensitivity and specificity, and can be performed using a variety of specimen types, including fecal samples.

Utilities:

• Help confirm the disease causing agent
• Identify porcine adenovirus carriers
• Help ensure that animal groups and populations are free of porcine adenovirus
• Early prevention of spread of the virus among animals
• Minimize human exposure to the virus
• Safety monitoring of biological products that derive from animals

References:
Elazhary, M.A., Dea, S., Mittal, K.R. and Higgins, R. (1985) Prevalence of Antibodies to Swine Influenza Virus, Porcine Adenovirus Type 4 and Haemophilus pleuropneumoniae in Quebec Pig Farms with Respiratory Problems. Can. Vet.  J.  26(6):190-192.

Specimen requirements: 0.2 ml whole blood in EDTA (purple top) tube, or 0.2 ml feces, or 0.2 ml fresh, frozen or fixed tissue, or nasal swab, or fecal swab.

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