Encephalomyocarditis virus

Description

Encephalomyocarditis (EMC) is caused by Cardioviruses in the family Picornaviridae. EMCV, while considered a rodent virus, may infect a wide range of mammals including non-human primates, elephants, pigs and humans. Outbreaks of disease due to EMCV infection have been most frequently reported in pigs and wildlife species held in captivity. EMCV is shed in the faeces and urine of rodents, which contaminates food and water supplies of other mammals. Outbreaks of disease are usually associated with severe infestations of mice and, less commonly, rats.

Affected pigs typically present with a history of sudden death from cardiac insufficiency and cardiogenic pulmonary oedema. Other clinical signs may include fever, anorexia, lethargy, dyspnoea, trembling, staggering and paralysis. Mortality is higher in suckling pigs compared with older pigs. EMC viruses can cross the placenta in pigs and cause abortions, stillbirths and mummification.

Diagnosis and tests available

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is based on a combination of history, clinical signs, serology and histopathology.

Tests available

Click on + in the tables below for sampling requirements and additional test information

Code	Name	Samples required	Species	Turnaround time	Price (excl. GST)	Notes	Test days
EMC_VN	Encephalomyocarditis Virus Neutralisation test (VNT)	Clotted blood (Red top) 10 ml of blood from the dam of affected litters Collected into a plain red top tube Submit chilled	Porcine, other susceptible species	1-3W	$55.15	D (number of working days) and W (number of weeks). Test TAT does not include weekends and public holidays.	Batch tested weekly according to demand
EMC_RTPCR	Encephalomyocarditis Virus Real Time PCR*	Fresh tissue Fresh heart, brain, lung and spleen tissue collected separately and aseptically from a recently deceased animal Submit chilled	Porcine, other susceptible species	2-3D	$109.35	* Denotes analyses not covered by the NATA scope of accreditation. D (number of working days) and W (number of weeks). Test TAT does not include weekends and public holidays.	According to demand
HIST_HE1	Histopathology – Preparation & Examination	Fixed Tissues- General Fresh tissues immediately placed in formalin Tissue pieces should not be greater than 1cm cubed to ensure proper fixation Submit fixed in neutral buffered formalin at a 10:1 ratio of formalin: tissue Fixed Tissues- Nervous tissues Submission of whole brain is required to ensure preservation of TSE target sites submit fixed in neutral buffered formalin at a ratio of 10:1 formalin: tissue Brains submitted for Nervous tissues are processed once a week, separate to general tissues to ensure consistent and reliable results. Urgent cases can be processed out of cycle if clearly marked on the Submission Form however this may reduce the quality of the brain histology results, so should only be requested in extremely urgent cases. Fresh Tissues Fresh tissues can be submitted following necropsy The quality of the tissues will be reduced due to the effects of autolysis so ideally fixed tissue should be submitted in neutral buffered formalin at a ratio of 10:1 formalin: tissue	All species	Up to 10D	$84.95	D (number of working days) and W (number of weeks). Test TAT does not include weekends and public holidays.	Monday - Friday
GEN_VI	Encephalomyocarditis Virus Isolation	Fresh tissue: Fresh heart, brain, lung and spleen tissue collected separately and aseptically from a recently deceased animal Submit chilled	Porcine, other susceptible species	3-4W	$174.10	D (number of working days) and W (number of weeks). Test TAT does not include weekends and public holidays.	According to demand

Additional Histopathology Testing Information

Specimens Required	Test Turnaround Time
Fixed Tissue Brain and spinal cord and sections of heart, liver, kidney, lung, spleen Submit fixed in neutral buffered formalin at a 10:1 ratio of formalin: tissue	Up to 2W for brain samples. Up to 5D for all other sample types.

Specimens Required

Test Turnaround Time

Fixed Tissue

Brain and spinal cord and sections of heart, liver, kidney, lung, spleen
Submit fixed in neutral buffered formalin at a 10:1 ratio of formalin: tissue

Up to 2W for brain samples.
Up to 5D for all other sample types.

Note

Most infections are subclinical and EMC viruses have rarely been recognised as a cause of human illness.

Additional Information

Customer Service

Contact Customer Service for enquiries relating to testing and results, quotations and pricing, couriers, sample submission and invoicing.

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CONTACT DETAILS
Phone	1800 675 623
Email	laboratory.services@dpird.nsw.gov.au
Operating Hours	8:30am-4:30pm Monday-Friday (excluding public holidays) 8:30am-12:00pm Saturday (for deliveries only)
Postal Address	Private Bag 4008, Narellan NSW 2567

Quotations

For Animal export, Plant health or Veterinary quotations, please complete the online quotation request

Submission Forms

Veterinary Specimen Advice Form

Please Note: These documents are not fully web accessible, please contact Customer Service (laboratory.services@dpird.nsw.gov.au) for more information.

Courier services and specimen delivery

For NSW submissions, please contact the relevant Customer Service team for courier account details and to order consignment notes.

For submitters outside of NSW, Couriers can be contacted directly to make bookings and arrange collection of packages at the submitters own cost.

Commercial couriers may use either road or air transport and specimens should therefore be packed in accordance with International Air Transport Association (IATA) requirements. Most submission sent by veterinarians to the APHL for testing are defined as “Biological Substance Category B” and must be packed according to the IATA packing instructions 650 (Biological Substance Category B). As requirements for transport can change, customers should consult with their transport agent to obtain current requirements.

Samples may also be hand delivered to the site during normal business hours (8.30am - 4.30pm).

Sample Type	Laboratory	Street Address
Animal (including aquatic animals)	NSW Animal and Plant Health Laboratories (APHL)	EMAI, Woodbridge Road, Menangle NSW 2568