St. Louis encephalitis virus
| Detection of St. Louis encephalitis virus or antibodies in clinical specimens | |
| Microbiology | |
| Virology | |
| ○ Serology: Whole blood, serum ○ PCR : Plasma (preferred), CSF |
Other Information
○ CSF will only be tested once it has been shown that anti-flavivirus antibodies are present in the patient’s serum
○ Whole blood/serum: serum separator tubes
○ Plasma: EDTA-blood tube
○ CSF: sterile container
○ Plasma: EDTA-blood tube
○ CSF: sterile container
Whole blood/serum/plasma:
○ Decontaminate skin with 70% alcohol followed by iodine or chlorhexidine, collect at least 5 mL of blood
CSF:
○ Decontaminate skin, collect at least 0.5 mL of CSF by lumbar puncture
○ Decontaminate skin with 70% alcohol followed by iodine or chlorhexidine, collect at least 5 mL of blood
CSF:
○ Decontaminate skin, collect at least 0.5 mL of CSF by lumbar puncture
Refer to section Sample Processing / Delivery
PHOL
○ Serology: Up to 8 days
○ PCR: Up to 28 days
○ PCR: Up to 28 days
416-586-4800 extension 4432
YES, for PCR only
○ Label specimen container. Place specimens in biohazard bag and seal.
○ Specimens can be transported to the UHN/SH Microbiology Laboratory at refrigeration temperature (2-8˚C)
○ The specimen will be referred to the Public Health Ontario Laboratory for testing. PHOL will refer specimens to NML for testing.
○ Specimens can be transported to the UHN/SH Microbiology Laboratory at refrigeration temperature (2-8˚C)
○ The specimen will be referred to the Public Health Ontario Laboratory for testing. PHOL will refer specimens to NML for testing.