Japanese B Encephalitis

*Uncontrolled print copy. Valid only on day of print: 27 July 2021.

Specimen Collection and Handling

Specimen Requirements

Test Requested	Required Requisition(s)	Specimen Type	Minimum Volume	Collection Kit
Japanese B Encephalitis serology	General Test Requisition	Blood or serum	5.0ml Blood or 1.0 ml serum	Clotted blood - vacutainer tubes (SST) for serum
Japanese B Encephalitis PCR	General Test Requisition	EDTA blood or plasma	400 µl	EDTA/Lavendar top tube
Japanese B Encephalitis PCR	General Test Requisition	CSF	400 µl	Sterile container

Submission and Collection Notes

Molecular testing must be approved by PHO laboratory. Contact Public Health Ontario laboratory to specimen collection.

Complete the following on the General Test Requisition Form:

relevant travel history
onset date
symptoms
vaccination history with either Japanese encephalitis virus or yellow fever virus vaccine

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

Limitations

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

Preparation Prior to Transport

Label the specimen container with the patient’s full name, date of collection and one other unique identifier such as the patient’s date of birth or Health Card Number. Failure to provide this information may result in rejection or testing delay.

Special Instructions

Place specimen in biohazard bag and seal. Specimens should be stored at 2-8◦C following collection and shipped to the PHO laboratory on ice packs.

Specimens for molecular testing should be frozen and shipped on dry ice.

Requisitions and Kit Ordering

Test Frequency and Turnaround Time (TAT)

Serology and molecular testing is performed at the National Microbiology Laboratory (NML).

TAT is up to 28 days from receipt by PHO laboratory

Reporting

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

Specimens that are positive for Japanese B virus are reported to the Medical Officer of Health as per the Health Protection and Promotion Act.

Test Methods

This test is a Referred Out Test. Samples are sent to the Public Health Agency of Canada - National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) in Winnipeg.

Serology is performed using an indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) assay. Molecular testing by RT-PCR is performed after approval by the PHOL microbiologist. All Japanese encephalitis virus testing is performed at the National Microbiology Laboratory.

Labstracts

LAB-SD-008, Blood Collection using Serum Separator Tubes