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Viral and Rickettsial Disease Laboratory
VRDL Test Page - West Nile Virus PCR

Viral and Rickettsial Disease Laboratory

Test Order
West Nile Virus Detection - PCR

Information Category	Information Detail
Pre-Approval	None
Supplemental Information Requested	Requested: Travel history, disease onset date
Submittal Form	Specimens must be accompanied with a hard copy of the completed VRDL General Purpose Specimen Submittal Form (PDF) or a form generated in the VRDL Lab Web Portal.
Methodology (Commercial Test Name or Laboratory Developed Test (LDT))	Real-time PCR (LDT)(Diagnostic)
Reflex Testing	None
Acceptable Specimen Type(s) and Collection Method	Human specimens: CSF: Collect CSF in sterile, screw-cap tubes Whole Blood: Red top or EDTA (Surveillance use only) Urine: (Surveillance Use Only)
Minimum Volume Requested	CSF: 1 mL Whole blood: 5 mL (Surveillance use only) Urine: 1 mL
Transport Medium (if using)	Not Applicable
Specimen Labeling	Each specimen tube must be labeled with at least two unique patient identifiers, e.g., patient full name and date of birth.
Storage & Preservation of Specimen / Shipping Conditions	CSF: freeze or refrigerate specimens after collection. Whole blood: refrigerate specimens promptly after collection. Do not freeze whole blood. (Surveillance use only) Urine: For processed urine pellet, freeze or refrigerate specimens promptly after collection. For unprocessed urine, refrigerate specimens promptly after collection. Do not freeze unprocessed urine. Ship refrigerated specimens to VRDL on cold packs. Ship frozen specimens to VRDL on dry ice.
Shipping Instructions	Work with your local public health department to ensure samples are packaged according to instructions for Biological Substance – Category B (UN 3373) shipment. Ship specimens and a hard copy of the completed submittal forms to: CDPH VRDL ATTN: Specimen Receiving 850 Marina Bay Parkway Richmond, CA 94804 Phone: 510-307-8585
Turnaround Time	10 Business Days
Limitations	Molecular tests such as RT-PCR are not recommended as the primary test for laboratory diagnosis of symptomatic infections due to low sensitivity for WNV. Negative result does not preclude the possibility of infection.
Additional Information	West Nile and St. Louis Encephalitis Viruses in California: Guidelines for Human Testing, Surveillance, and Reporting (PDF) Specimens should be collected as close to onset as possible.
VRDL Points of Contact	Medical and Epidemiology Liaisons: (510) 307-8585 or VRDL.submittal@cdph.ca.gov

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