primate assay data sheet
Squirrel monkey retrovirus (SMRV)
Test code:
S0148 - Ultrasensitive qualitative detection of squirrel monkey
retrovirus proviral DNA
by real time PCR
Squirrel monkey
retrovirus (SMRV) is a New World primate type D retrovirus. It
was isolated from squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus) lung tissue
in 1977. The virus can be propagated in a variety of tissue
culture cell lines, including canine osteosarcoma cells, owl
monkey cells, marmoset cells
and human lymphoblastoid cell lines. The virus is an endogenous
virus with 10–15 copies of DNA
sequences present in the squirrel monkey genome.
Therapeutic
medical products prepared from cell cultures can be contaminated
with this retrovirus, and pose significant health concerns. For
example, interferon has been prepared from human lymphoid cell
lines, such as Namalwa, that contain integrated copies of SMRV
proviral DNA.
Interferon has been used widely in treatment of viral infections
and cancers. It was reported that the SMRV sequences were
present in 39 of 75 interferon preparations purified from human
cell lines (Pienkowska and Seth, 1998).
In several
regular inspections of German laboratories, widespread
contamination of vertebrate cell lines with SMRV was reported.
The German Central Commission for Biological Safety (ZKBS)
therefore recommends testing of all cell lines before exchange
of cell lines. Currently, molecular detection of SMRV is the
most sensitive and specific method for identifying this virus in
cell culture.
Utilities:
-
Screening of cell culture products that can be
contaminated with SMRV
Specimen requirement:
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 real time PCR
Normal range:
Nondetected
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