Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Specific qPCR assays for the detection of orf virus, pseudocowpox virus and bovine papular stomatitis virus.
- Journal:
- Journal of virological methods
- Year:
- 2013
- Authors:
- Zhao, Hui et al.
- Affiliation:
- Poxvirus and Rabies Branch · United States
Plain-English summary
This study looked at specific tests for detecting three types of viruses that can cause skin infections in animals, particularly ruminants like cows and sheep. These viruses, known as orf virus, pseudocowpox virus, and bovine papular stomatitis virus, usually lead to mild skin lesions and do not provide long-lasting immunity. Recently, more cases have been reported, likely due to better awareness and testing methods. The researchers developed sensitive tests that can quickly identify these viruses by targeting specific genetic material, and they found that the tests could detect very small amounts of the virus. Overall, these tests offer a reliable way to confirm and understand infections caused by these viruses.
Abstract
The genus Parapoxvirus (PAPV) is comprised traditionally of orf virus (ORFV), pseudocowpox virus (PCPV) and bovine papular stomatitis virus (BPSV), which cause infections of ruminants and their handlers in the U.S. and worldwide. Unlike orthopoxvirus infections, which can cause systemic or localized infections, PAPV infections present normally as benign, self-limited and localized skin lesions; infections do not confer lifelong immunity. In recent years, related potentially to enhanced awareness and the availability of diagnostic methods, there has been an observed increase in reported cases of PAPV in animals and humans. This study describes TaqMan based real-time PCR assays for both generic and specific detection of PAPV species for surveillance and outbreak investigations. These assays target highly conserved PAPV RNA polymerase gene sequences and are capable of detecting three known species of PAPVs (ORFV, PCPV, and BPSV). The assays were evaluated using a panel of PAPV DNA derived from human infections or animal specimen remainders. The sensitivities of all four assays were determined using droplet digital PCR; fewer than 10 copies of clinical PAPV DNA can be detected consistently. These assays provide a reliable and sensitive method for rapid confirmation and characterization PAPV infections with varying clinical presentations.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24035807/