ARBOVIRUS PANEL

Laboratory

Immunology/Virology

Description

Qualitative identification of IgM and/or IgG antibodies to Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus, West Nile virus (WNV), La Crosse (LAC) encephalitis virus, and St. Louis Encephalitis (SLE) virus.

Test Methodology

• Rapid Microsphere-based Immunofluorescence Assay (MIA)
• Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)

Specimen Types

• Whole blood
• Serum
• Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) - acceptable for IgM testing only

Sample Volume / Collection Container

• 5 mL of whole blood collected in a red-top tube or serum separator tube (SST).
• 2 mL of serum or CSF collected in a plastic tube.

Collection and Storage Guidelines

• Acute serum or CSF should be collected 0-8 days after the onset of symptoms, while the convalescent serum or CSF specimen should be collected 2-3 weeks after the acute specimen.
• Samples should be stored at 2 to 8°C until shipment and must be received within 120 days from collection. If a delay is anticipated (over 120 days from collection), serum must be separated from the clot and stored at -20°C or lower.

Transportation Instructions

• If samples are submitted refrigerated, ship them on frozen cold packs to maintain a temperature of 2 to 8°C.
• If serum or CSF samples are submitted frozen, ship them on dry ice to maintain a temperature of –20°C or colder.

Acceptable Arrival Temperature

• 2 to 8°C if the sample is sent refrigerated.
• -20°C or colder if serum or CSF is sent frozen.

Causes for Rejection

• Plasma is not suitable for testing.
• Samples that are severely hemolyzed, lipemic, bacterially contaminated, or broken in transit.
• If identification on the form and tube do not match.
• Quantity of sample is less than 500 μL.
• Specimen received outside of the acceptable arrival temperature range.
• More than 120 days have passed since the specimen was collected, and the serum or CSF was not kept frozen during this period.