Arbovirus (Powassan)
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
Special Pathogens & Biothreats Laboratory 401-222-5586
Powassan Virus
Powassan
Arboviral Encephalitis serology test request that is sent to CDC for testing.
Consult with the RIDOH Center for Acute Infectious Disease Epidemiology (401) 222-2577 for approval prior to transporting specimens.
0.5 mL of serum and/or 0.5 mL of CSF is required for serology testing.
Specimen must be kept cold at 2° - 8° C or frozen at <-20° C.
Acute: 3 to 10 days after onset of symptoms
Convalescent: 2-3 weeks after acute sample
CLIA regulations require specimens be labeled with at least two patient identifiers. Examples of identifiers are first and last name, date of birth, chart/medical record number. The specimen container must be labeled to match the test requisition or the electronic order.
Rhode Island State Health Laboratories (RISHL) test requisition form https://health.ri.gov/forms/LabRequisitionForm.pdf
Write "Arbovirus Powassan" testing under Comments/Other test requests.
Refrigerate prior to transport at 2-8⁰C.
Refrigerated: Transport and deliver to the laboratory within 48 hours of collection at 2-8°C in a cooler able to maintain specimen temperature. A plug-in electric cooler is recommended, however, a cooler packed with excess frozen gel packs is acceptable as long as the transport temperature is maintained at 2-8°C.
Frozen: If specimen previously frozen, it must be transported on frozen gel packs in insulated shipper.
Specimens must be transported and packaged in accordance with current federal shipping regulations.
Non-hemolyzed
The following rejection criteria will be used to ensure accurate specimen information and specimen condition for testing:
- Specimen received outside acceptable transport range
- Demographics different of specimen
- Two identifiers required on specimen / Unable to read identifiers on specimen
- Expired/ incorrect collection kit
- Insufficient quantity
- Urine cup received
- No specimen received
- Specimen leaked in transit
- Test not evaluated in adolescents < 14
- No swab received
- Specimen too old
Negative
Providers must report patient information on Powassan immediately using the RIDOH reportable disease form.
CDC turnaround time is 4 weeks
Containers specifically labeled for transport of specimens and isolates to the RISHL Special Pathogens & Biothreats Laboratory are available in all Microbiology Laboratories and Laboratory Sendout Departments.