Japanese B Encephalitis
Specimen Requirements
| Test Requested | Required Requisition(s) | Specimen Type | Minimum Volume | Collection Kit |
Japanese B Encephalitis serology |
Blood or serum |
5.0ml Blood or 1.0 ml serum |
Clotted blood - vacutainer tubes (SST) for serum |
|
Japanese B Encephalitis PCR |
EDTA blood or plasma |
400 µl |
EDTA/Lavendar top tube |
|
Japanese B Encephalitis PCR |
CSF |
400 µl |
Sterile container |
Submission and Collection Notes
Effective October 3, 2022, the Arbovirus (Non-Zika) Testing Intake Form is a mandatory requirement for Japanese encephalitis virus testing. PHO’s laboratory utilizes the information on the requisition and the mandatory intake form to assess testing criteria, assign appropriate tests, and provide mandatory information required by the National Microbiology Laboratory for relevant testing performed there.
If submitting CSF, a paired serum specimen must also be submitted.
Molecular testing must be preapproved by the PHO laboratory microbiologist. Contact PHO laboratory Customer Service at 416-235-6556 or 1-877-604-4567 to request approval.
Limitations
Haemolysed, icteric, lipemic or microbial contaminated sera or plasma are not recommended for testing.
Storage and Transport
Centrifuge if using SST. Place specimen in biohazard bag and seal. Specimens should be stored at 2-8◦C following collection and shipped to the PHO’s laboratory on ice packs.
Specimens for molecular testing should be frozen and shipped on dry ice.
Special Instructions
All specimens submitted for testing must be accompanied by a separate General Test Requisition for each specimen type collected. All fields on each requisition must be completed.
It is also MANDATORY to provide all information requested on the Arbovirus (Non-Zika) Information Intake Form. The Arbovirus (Non-Zika) Information Intake Form may be exempted if all mandatory information is available on the PHO’s General Test Requisition. Specimens submitted with missing mandatory information will not be tested until that information is provided.
Test Frequency and Turnaround Time (TAT)
This test is a Referred Out Test. Specimens are sent to NML in Winnipeg.
Serology and molecular testing TAT is up to 28 days.
Serology is performed using a Hemagglutination Inhibition Assay, followed by JE PRNT if positive.
Molecular testing by RT-PCR is performed after approval by the PHO microbiologist. All Japanese encephalitis virus testing is performed at NML.
Reporting
Reports are sent back to PHO’s laboratory from NML and are then reported and forwarded to the ordering physician or Health care Provider as indicated on the requisition.
Specimens that are positive for Japanese encephalitis virus are reported to the Medical Officer of Health as per the Health Protection and Promotion Act.
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