
Ross River Virus
Specimen Requirements
Test Requested | Required Requisition(s) | Specimen Type | Minimum Volume | Collection Kit |
Ross River Virus Serology |
Blood or serum |
5.0 ml blood or 1.0 ml serum |
Vacutainer tubes (SST) |
|
Ross River Virus PCR |
Plasma or serum |
1.0 ml |
EDTA/Plasma with non-heparin anticoagulant (or serum) |
|
Ross River Virus PCR |
CSF |
400 µl |
Sterile container |
Submission and Collection Notes
Molecular testing must must be preapproved by the PHO laboratory microbiologist. Contact PHO laboratory Customer Service at 416-235-6556 or 1877-604-4567 to request approval.
Complete the following on the General Test Requisition Form:
- relevant travel history
- onset date
- symptoms
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.
Test Frequency and Turnaround Time (TAT)
Serology turnaround time is up to 8 days and Molecular testing turnaround time 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.
Positive results from patients with encephalitis are also reported to the Medical Officer of Health as per Health Protection and Promotion Act.
Serology is performed using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) to detect both IgG and IgM antibodies.
Molecular testing by RT-PCR is performed after approval by the PHO laboratory microbiologist.
All Ross River virus testing is performed at the National Microbiology Laboratory.
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