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

Test	Sample(s) required	Days of the week test is conducted	Turnaround time¹
Encephalomyocarditis Virus Real Time PCR	Fresh tissue	According to demand	2-3D
Encephalomyocarditis Virus Isolation	Fresh tissue	According to demand	3-4W
Encephalomyocarditis VNT	Clotted blood (red top tube)	Batch tested weekly according to demand	1-2W
Histopathology examination	Fixed tissue	Monday – Friday	Up to 2W for brain samples. Up to 5D for all other sample types.

Please Note: D= Working day(s), W= Week(s). TAT does not include weekends or public holidays.

¹Turnaround times are provided as a guide only. For specific information about your submission please contact Customer Service.

Note

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

Additional Information

Specimen requirements

Blood (without anti-coagulant)
10 ml of blood from the dam of affected litters Collected into a plain red top tube Submit chilled
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
Fresh tissue
Fresh heart, brain, lung and spleen tissue collected separately and aseptically from a recently deceased animal Submit chilled

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@dpi.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

For Edible oil & oilseed or Feed quality quotations and pricing enquiries, please contact DPI AgEnviro Labs at Wagga Wagga on (02) 6938 1957

For Plant nutrition, Soil health or Water quality quotations and pricing enquiries, please contact DPI AgEnviro Labs at Wollongbar on (02) 6626 1103

Submission Forms

Veterinary Specimen Advice Form

Please Note: These documents are not fully web accessible, please contact Customer Service (laboratory.services@dpi.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 SVDL 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