West Nile Virus (WNV)
Clinical Specimen Submission Guidance
Submit all specimens to 50 Orms St, Providence RI 02904. Open Monday to Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
STI & Arbovirus Laboratory 401-222-5591
Arborvirus
Arborviral Encephalitis
An enzyme-linked immunosorbent capture assay to detect IgM antibodies to West Nile Virus.
All other requests for arbovirus testing are sent to CDC.
Consult with the RIDOH Center for Acute Infectious Disease Epidemiology (401) 222-2577 for approval prior to transporting specimens.
Serum: minimum 5 mL collected in red top tube
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF): minimum 2 mL collected aseptically.
Acute serum and CSF should be collected within the first 14 days following onset of symptoms.
Refrigerate at 2° - 8° C
Virus isolation and/or nucleic amplification testing, acceptable specimens are fresh frozen tissue, serum, or cerebrospinal fluid. Tissue specimens should be approximately 1 x 3 cm, frozen as soon as possible at -70° C
CLIA regulations require two patient identifiers on the specimen container and the test requisition.
Rhode Island State Health Laboratories (RISHL) test requisition form
Write in "WNV" under Comments/Other test requests
Transport specimens within 48 hours of collection.
Specimens must be transported on wet ice or equivalent cooling material and packaged in accordance with current federal shipping regulations.
Containers specifically labeled for transport of specimens to the RISHL STI & Arbovirus Laboratory are available in all Serology Laboratories and Laboratory Sendout Departments.
Non-hemolyzed
Negative
Providers must report patient information on Arborviral Encephalitis immediately using the RIDOH reportable disease form.
WNV: 5 business days
Confirmation testing performed at CDC