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Published on: December 3, 2011
Application of real-time PCR to detect Aleutian Mink Disease Virus on environmental farm sources
Alberto Prieto1, José Manuel Díaz-Cao1, Ricardo Fernández-Antonio2
1Department of Animal Pathology (INVESAGA Group), Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain.
Abstract:
The Aleutian Mink Virus (AMDV) causes the Aleutian Mink Disease (AMD) or Mink Plasmacytosis, a disease responsible of high economic losses for industry worldwide. Despite there is evidence of the environmental persistence of the virus, there is not literature on the detection of this virus in environmental samples in farms and this fact would have great importance in the control programs of the disease. In order to detect contamination caused by AMDV on farms, several environmental samples were taken and examined using qPCR. 93.9% of samples taken from farms confirmed to be infected tested positive. The virus was also detected on a farm which, despite having no previous positive results, was sharing personnel with an infected farm. All samples taken from AMD-free farms tested negative, including a farm where an eradication procedure by stamping out had been performed during the preceding months. Higher contamination levels were observed in samples from those surfaces in direct contact with animals. These results are the first demonstration of environmental contamination in farms, hitherto suggested by epidemiological evidences, caused by AMDV on surfaces, furniture and equipments inside mink farms. qPCR is an useful tool for evaluating the spread of AMDV into the environment, and it may have important applications within the disease control programs.
Insights
Aleutian Mink Virus (AMDV) environmental contamination was detected on mink farms using qPCR. This finding is crucial for controlling Aleutian Mink Disease (AMD) and preventing economic losses in the industry.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Environmental Microbiology
Background:
- Aleutian Mink Virus (AMDV) causes Aleutian Mink Disease (AMD), leading to significant global economic losses in the mink industry.
- Environmental persistence of AMDV is known, but its detection in farm environments remains understudied, hindering effective disease control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and extent of AMDV environmental contamination on mink farms.
- To evaluate the utility of quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for detecting AMDV in environmental samples.
Main Methods:
- Environmental samples were collected from mink farms with confirmed AMDV infections and from AMDV-free farms.
- Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was employed to detect AMDV in all collected samples.
Main Results:
- 93.9% of samples from infected farms tested positive for AMDV.
- AMDV was detected on a farm with no prior positive results but shared personnel with an infected farm.
- Higher contamination levels were found on surfaces in direct contact with animals.
- All samples from AMD-free farms, including one with a prior eradication procedure, tested negative.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first evidence of AMDV environmental contamination on mink farm surfaces, furniture, and equipment.
- qPCR is an effective tool for assessing AMDV environmental spread and can be valuable for disease control programs.
