Molecular Detection of Orf virus

Amplification of Orf virus specific genome.

• Orf infection

Lesion fluid and/or crust, scab, skin material; swabs; fresh frozen tissues – Minimum sample 0.5 mL.  Formalin-fixed or paraffin-embedded tissues.

Collect lesion or crust material, scabs, swabs in sterile 1.5-2.0 mL tube, avoid dilution of the sample, transport media is not needed.

Tissues: Fresh frozen tissues should be placed in plastic containers. Tissues that are formalin-fixed should also be sent in plastic containers and clearly identified as being in formalin. Paraffin-embedded tissues can be sent as entire blocks or four to six 10 uM sections in a plastic tube or vial.

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. Formalin-fixed samples can be sent at room temperature.

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.

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)