Coronavirus PCR Guidelines
Mammalian Alpha- and Beta-coronavirus PCR*
| Species | Enteric Illness (diarrhea) | Preferred Sample | Respiratory Illness | Preferred Sample | Fever of Unknown Origin (systemic illness) | Preferred Sample |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feline | Alpha-coronavirus PCR | Feces, swab in RT, intestinal tissue | Alpha-coronavirus PCR (FIP suspect testing) | In order of preference: Antemortem samples: Peritoneal/pleural fluid; unfixed tissue biopsy; EDTA whole blood; CSF; serum Postmortem samples: unfixed, affected tissue; peritoneal/pleural fluid; CSF | ||
| Canine | Alpha-coronavirus PCR | Feces, swab in RT, intestinal tissue | Beta-coronavirus PCR | Nasal swab in RT, lung tissue | ||
| Bovine | Beta-coronavirus PCR | Feces, swab in RT, intestinal tissue | Beta-coronavirus PCR | Nasal swab in RT, lung tissue | ||
| Camelid | Beta-coronavirus PCR | Feces, swab in RT, intestinal tissue | ||||
| Equine | Beta-coronavirus PCR | Feces, swab in RT, intestinal tissue | ||||
| Swine** | Alpha-coronavirus PCR (TGE) | Feces, swab in RT, intestinal tissue | Alpha-coronavirus PCR (TGE) | Nasal swab in RT, lung tissue | ||
| Ferret | Alpha-coronavirus PCR | Feces, swab in RT, intestinal tissue | ||||
| Mink | Alpha-coronavirus PCR | Feces, swab in RT, intestinal tissue | ||||
| Bat | Research testing only at this time. | whole bat | Alpha and Beta | Best tissue unknown |
* The alpha-coronavirus and beta-coronavirus PCR assays offered by the Animal Health Diagnostic Center are crossreacting. That is, each will detect all of the respective alpha- or beta- coronaviruses indicated in this guide. Please submit the indicated specimen(s).
** The viruses associated with Porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED/PDCov) are not detected by this assay and detection requires referral to another laboratory.