Swinepox

Test code: S0212 - Ultrasensitive detection of swinepox virus (SWPV) by real time PCR

Swinepox virus (SWPV) is the only member of the Suipoxvirus genus of the poxviridae family of viruses, and is the etiologic agent of a worldwide disease specific to swine.

Infected pigs develop a skin disease characterized by generalized pustular lesions.  High rates of illness (occasionally >80%) can occur, although the mortality rate is low. The disease occurs mainly on farms with poor management and housing conditions, and primarily affects pigs less than 3 months of age; adult pigs show milder signs. The disease is transmitted by pig lice or through direct animal contact. Swinepox must be differentiated from a similar pustular disease of pigs caused by vaccinia virus; the two are difficult to distinguish clinically.

Swinepox begins with an incubation period of approximately one week. Small red areas then develop, most frequently on the face, ears, insides of the legs, and abdomen. These red areas than develop into papules and, within a few days, pustules or small vesicles may be seen. The centers of the pustules become dry and scabbed and are surrounded by a raised, inflamed zone so that the lesions appear umbilicated. Later, dark scabs of 1-2 cm diameter form. Affected piglets develop a “spotty” look. The scabs eventually drop or are rubbed off without leaving a scar. Successive bouts of lesions can occur, so that all lesions are not at the same stage. During early stages of the disease affected pigs may have mild fever, inappetence, and dullness.

Culture detection has been used in the past, but lacks sensitivity and cannot easily differentiate swinepox virus from vaccinia virus. However, molecular detection by PCR (Medaglia et al., 2011), is rapid, sensitive and specific, and is a good alternative to traditional methods.

Utilities:

• Help confirm the disease causing agent
• Help identify swinepox carriers
• Help differentiate SWPV infections from vaccinia infections
• Help ensure that herds and facilities are free of SWPV
• 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:
Medaglia, M.L.G., Pereira, A. D. C., Freitas, T.R.P. and Damaso, C.R. (2011) Swinepox Virus Outbreak, Brazil, 2011. Emerg. Infect. Dis. 2011 17: 1976–1978.

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

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