Chikungunya Virus

Timing of Specimen Collection

Molecular Real-Time PCR-
Clotted blood/serum specimens for PCR testing should be collected as soon as possible after symptom onset, but no later than 14 days following onset of illness.

Limitations

Hemolysed, icteric, lipemic or microbially contaminated sera or plasma are not recommended for testing.

Storage and Transport

• For serum separator tubes: centrifuge sample prior to placing in biohazard bag.
• Place each specimen type in an individual biohazard bag and seal. Insert the corresponding requisition in the pocket on the outside of each sealed biohazard bag.
• Clotted blood/serum specimens should be stored at 2-8°C following collection and shipped to PHOL on ice packs.

For any other specimens submitted for molecular testing, specimens may be stored at 2-8°C following collection and shipped to PHOL on ice packs, but should be frozen (at -80°C if possible) and shipped on dry ice if delivery to PHOL will take more than 72 hours.

Special Instructions

Pregnancy status, travel history to endemic areas (including dates of departure and return) AND date of collection of samples within 14 days of symptom onset date should be clearly indicated on the requisition.

Instructions for using SST tubes are found in the document titled: LAB-SD-008, Blood Collection Using Serum Separator Tubes.

Test Frequency and Turnaround Time (TAT)

Molecular testing TAT is up to 5 days for PHOL results; 10 days for NML results. TAT may be longer if supplementary testing is required.

Serology testing TAT is up to 8 days for PHOL results.

Molecular testing using a Lab developed Arbovirus Real-Time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) panel which simultaneously tests for Zika, Chikungunya and Dengue virus targets. All four serogroups of Dengue (1-4) can be detected but are not distinguished by the assay.

Specimens submitted for testing of any of the three virus targets will be tested and all three virus results will be reported.

The Chikungunya IgM & IgG test is performed using an ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay) commercial test kit.

Interpretation

Chikungunya virus infection is laboratory-confirmed by a Detected result for Chikungunya virus by RT-PCR.

The Anti- Chikungunya Virus ELISA (IgM and IgG) is suitable for the serological detection of an acute or a past Chikungunya virus infection and supplements direct pathogen detection. Seroconversion in the IgM or IgG antibodies indicates an acute infection.

A Not Detected serological or molecular (RT-PCR) result does not rule out Chikungunya virus infection.

Reporting

Results are reported to the ordering physician or health care provider as indicated on the requisition.

References

LAB-SD-136 Zika, Chikungunya and Dengue viruses PCR panel