Arbovirus (West Nile Virus)
Clinical Specimen Submission Guidance
Submit all specimens to 150 Richmond Street, Suite 100, Providence, RI 02903. Open Monday to Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Learn how and where to drop off your lab samples at our Laboratory Central Services webpage.
STI & Arbovirus Laboratory 401-222-5591
West Nile Virus
West Nile Virus
Testing performed at RI State Health Laboratories (RISHL) - preauthorization required
Serology (serum): An enzyme-linked immunosorbent capture assay (ELISA) to detect IgM antibodies to West Nile Virus.
PCR (whole blood): The BioFire Global Fever Special Pathogens Panel (GFSPP) is an FDA-cleared, qualitative, multiplexed, nucleic acid-based PCR assay. For additional information refer to: https://health.ri.gov/laboratory-testing/clinical-specimen-submission-guidance/global-fever-special-pathogens-panel
Note: When testing for mosquito-borne viruses (Chikungunya, Dengue, West Nile, Yellow Fever), the GFSPP may not reliably detect the presence of arbovirus RNA once patients are outside the acute phase of infection, namely the first 1 to 7 days after symptoms onset.
Testing performed at CDC - Preauthorization required
Serology (serum / CSF): An enzyme-linked immunosorbent capture assay (ELISA) to detect IgM antibodies to West Nile Virus.
PRNT (serum / CSF): Plaque Reduction Neutralization Test
Consult with the RIDOH Center for Acute Infectious Disease Epidemiology (CAIDE) (401) 222-2577 for approval prior to collecting and transporting specimens.
Global Fever Panel (PCR): Collect 5 mL whole blood in EDTA tube and promptly store at 2° - 8° C.
If specimen cannot be transported to RISHL within 24 hours, then the serum should be frozen at or below -20° C.
Serum and CSF for testing at CDC:
Serum - collect blood in red top tube or serum separator tube, spin, pour off serum and submit >=2 mL in a sterile plastic screw-capped tube. Store serum at 2° - 8°C.
CSF - collect in a clean, dry, leak-proof container and immediately refrigerate at 2° - 8° C.
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 https://health.ri.gov/forms/LabRequisitionForm.pdf
Global Fever Panel - prior approval from RIDOH Center for Infectious Disease Epidemiology required.
CDC Testing:
Write "WNV" under Comments/Other Test requests
Transport specimens as soon as possible.
Contact the STI & Arbovirus Lab (401) 222-5591 prior to transport.
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 / Unable to read identifiers on specimen
- Two identifiers required on specimen
- Expired / Incorrect collection kit
- Insufficient quantity
- No specimen received
- Specimen leaked in transit
- Specimen too old
Global Fever Panel (PCR): Not detected
Serology (serum): Negative
Providers must report patient information on West Nile Virus immediately using the RIDOH reportable disease form.
GFSPP PCR & Serology (serum): 1 Business Day
Serology & PRNT: CDC 4 weeks
Note: The CDC turnaround time listed includes the possibility that the test being ordered is part of a larger testing algorithm.