Poxvirus

Alternative Names/Synonyms	Molecular detection of poxvirus nucleic acids (cowpox, smallpox, or non Molluscum Contagiosum/Poxvirus)
Laboratory	Microbiology
Sub-section	Virology
Specimen Type	○ Lesion fluid and/or crust ○ Lesion swab ○ CSF/serum ○ Frozen tissues/formalin fixed or paraffin embedded tissues

Specimen Requirements (Tube Type)

○ CSF (0.5mL) /serum (5mL) /lesion fluid/crust: Sterile container
○ Swab in universal transport medium
○ Frozen tissues: entire blocks

Collection Requirements

Lesion fluid/crust:
○ Collect lesion or crust material and scabs in sterile container using a sterile swab or scalpel

Swab:
○ Collect lesion swab by cleaning vesicle with saline, disrupting vesicle, and collecting fluid and cells from lesion base. Place swab in UTM. If lesions are nonvesicular, collect cells from lesion base with a swab premoistened with saline. Place swab in transport media.

CSF:
○ Decontaminate skin, collect at least 0.5 mL of CSF by lumbar puncture.

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

Sample Stability

Refer to section Sample Processing / Delivery

Referral Laboratory

PHOL to NML

Routine Turnaround Time

○ 2 calendar days from receipt at NML

Laboratory Contact Information

416-586-4800 extension 4616

Approval Required

YES

Sample Processing / Delivery

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

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

○ The specimen will be referred to the Public Health Ontario Laboratory for testing. PHOL will refer the specimen to NML.