Herpes B virus

Alternative Names/Synonyms	Serologic and molecular detection of the simian Herpes B virus
Laboratory	Microbiology
Sub-section	Serology
Specimen Type	Serology: ○ Serum ○ Plasma PCR ○ CSF ○ Swab of infected area ○ Biopsy or necropsy tissue (right/left trigeminal and sacral dorsal root ganglia) ○ Saliva

Other Information

○ Baseline serology should be obtained shortly after exposure to a macaque.

○ The serology cross-reacts with HSV-1 and 2.

○ Samples for PCR should be collected at the time of symptoms onset. Samples for PCR testing should not be obtained from a wound which occurs at the time of exposure, as the act of collection could push infectious virus more deeply into the wound.

Specimen Requirements (Tube Type)

Serology:
Serum separator tube (clotted blood) or red-top

PCR:
○ CSF, biopsy tissues, saliva: sterile container. Frozen tissue or formalin fixed acceptable.
○ Swab of infected area: viral transport media

Collection Requirements

Serum or plasma:
○ Decontaminate skin with 70% alcohol followed by iodine or chlorhexidine, collect at least 5 mL of blood in appropriate container

CSF
○ Decontaminate skin, collect at least 1.5-2mL of CSF into a sterile container. Collect appropriate amount of CSF for each additional test requested.

Biopsy tissue
○ Collect 5-10 mm3 tissue aseptically using surgical technique/punch biopsy. Place in a clean, sterile container with a small amount of sterile saline.

Swab of infected area
○ Use a pre-moistened swab to collect specimen from the infected area, expressing serous fluids while rolling swab back and forth using the Levine method. Place swab in transport medium.
Saliva:
○ Collect 1.5-2mL in a sterile container.

Sample Stability

Refer to section Sample Processing / Delivery

Referral Laboratory

For Storage TGH New Employee in Animal House for Baseline Simian B Virus Antibody Testing requested by OHS -TGH National B Virus Resource Center,
Georgia State Univers

Routine Turnaround Time

○ PCR: 2 days after receipt of specimen by NML
○ Serology: 14 days

Laboratory Contact Information

416-586-4800 extension 4523

Approval Required

YES

Sample Processing / Delivery

○ Label specimen container. Place specimens in biohazard bag and seal.

○ Specimens should be stored and transported to the UHN/SH Microbiology Laboratory at refrigeration temperature (2-8˚C) immediately after collection

○ The specimen will be referred to Public Health Ontario Laboratory / NML for testing. Specimens from patients suspected to have Herpes B virus require shipping under ERAP.