St. Louis encephalitis virus

Alternative Names/Synonyms	Detection of St. Louis encephalitis virus or antibodies in clinical specimens
Laboratory	Microbiology
Sub-section	Virology
Specimen Type	○ 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

Specimen Requirements (Tube Type)

○ Whole blood/serum: serum separator tubes
○ Plasma: EDTA-blood tube
○ CSF: sterile container

Collection Requirements

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

Sample Stability

Refer to section Sample Processing / Delivery

Referral Laboratory

PHOL

Routine Turnaround Time

○ Serology: Up to 8 days
○ PCR: Up to 28 days

Laboratory Contact Information

416-586-4800 extension 4628

Approval Required

YES, for PCR only

Sample Processing / Delivery

○ 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.