Isolation of Orf virus

Isolation of Orf virus

• Orf infection

Lesion fluid and/or crust, scab, skin material; swabs; CSF, other bodily fluids (minimum sample 0.5 mL) and fresh frozen tissues.

Collect lesion or crust material, scabs, swabs in sterile 1.5-2.0 mL tube, dry swab is recommended, transport media will be accepted if indicated on requisition.

CSF and other bodily fluids:  Collect in sterile 1.5-2.0 mL screw cap tubes.

Tissues: Fresh frozen tissues should be placed in plastic containers.

Store samples in refrigerator or frozen until being shipped for testing.  Tissues should be shipped frozen. Ship frozen specimens on dry ice and refrigerated specimens on wet ice.

Shipping of specimens shall be done by a TDG certified individual in accordance with TDG regulations. For additional information regarding classification of specimens for the purposes of shipping, consult either Part 2 Appendix 3 of the TDG Regulations or section 3.6.2 of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations as applicable.

Presence of parapoxvirus papules or lesions.

Completed Special Pathogens requisition including sender name, address and telephone number. Patient information including name or identifier, date of birth, and all relevant patient history including clinical diagnosis, underlying diseases, exposure risk (contact to animals) and travel history. Indicate type of specimen collected and all specimen information. Select all required tests. If possible, attach lab results that have already been done at local or provincial laboratories.

All patient history must be included; sample without adequate patient history to justify testing are subject to rejection.

Isolation is a non-routine test for investigational purposes.

For diagnosis of parapoxvirus infection be confirmed, one or more of the following diagnostic markers must be positive: (i) presence of parapoxvirus DNA by PCR, and (ii) isolation of parapoxvirus.

14 calendar days.

Orf Virus (Sore Mouth Infection)