Gibbon leukemia virus PCR test

S0019 - Qualitative detection of gibbon ape leukemia virus, strain Seato, by polymerase chain reaction
S0020 - Qualitative detection of gibbon ape leukemia virus, strain SF, by polymerase chain reaction

Gibbon ape leukemia virus (GaLV) is a highly oncogenic C-type retrovirus capable of inducing myeloid leukemia in juvenile gibbons. GaLV is antigenically most closely related to a new world monkey virus, simian sarcoma associated virus (SSAV), and less to the murine and feline C-type leukemia viruses.Young gibbons that were experimentally inoculated with cell-free gibbon ape leukemia virus (GaLV) and developed peristent viremia subsequently developed chronic granulocytic leukemia (CGL) with associated multifocal bone lesions and metastases.

Currently, four major strains of Galv have been identified. Gibbon ape leukemia virus, SEATO strain (GaLV-SEATO), a virus that induces myeloid leukemia in gibbon apes, and GaLV, San Francisco strain (GaLV-SF), a virus associated etiologically with lymphocytic leukemia in gibbon apes, are the two most common strains.

Although virus isolation can be used to diagnose GaLV infection, a long incubation period is required to obtain results. Viral culture also increases the potential risk of laboratory personnel contacting this virus. Furthermore, serological detection of GaLV infection is less sensitive, reliable and specific than polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based techniques. False negative results occur frequently. GaLV detection by PCR is the most rapid, sensitive and specific method for the diagnosis of this infection.

Utilities:

Help confirm the disease causing agent
Differentiate the disease causing GaLV strain
Help ensure that animal colonies are free of GaLV
Early prevention of spread of this virus among a colony
Minimize personnel exposure to this virus
Safety monitoring of biological products and vaccines that derive from primates

Specimen requirement: 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 PCR

Normal range: Nondetected