Whipple’s disease – detection

Alternative Names/Synonyms	Molecular detection of Tropheryma whipplei
Laboratory	Microbiology
Sub-section	Virology
Specimen Type	○ Tissue (cardiac, lymph nodes, brain, duodenal, gastric, colonic biopsy) ○ EDTA blood ○ CSF

Other Information

○ Serum, plasma, saliva, throat, urine, and stool are unacceptable specimens
○ A negative result does not rule out T. whipplei infection, only rules out a potential infection of the relative area of specimen origin

Specimen Requirements (Tube Type)

○ Whole blood: EDTA vacutainer tube (lavender top)
○ CSF/tissues: Clean, sterile container, with a small amount of saline for tissues

Collection Requirements

Whole blood:
○ 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 via lumbar puncture in sterile container
Tissue:
○ Collect 5-10 mm3 tissue aseptically using surgical technique. Place in a clean, sterile container with a small amount of sterile saline.

Sample Stability

Refer to section Sample Processing / Delivery

Referral Laboratory

PHOL

Routine Turnaround Time

○ Up to 7 days from receipt at PHO laboratory

Laboratory Contact Information

416-586-4800 extension 4646

Approval Required

Sample Processing / Delivery

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

○ Transport specimens 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 the specimens to the Public Health Agency of Canada in Winnipeg.