Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus
Testing Indications
The Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis (VEE) serology testing is no longer available at National Microbiology Laboratory (NML). Other cross reactive flavivirus ELISA tests can be performed at NML and PHO’s laboratory. Serological or molecular testing can only be performed based on relevant clinical information and after approval by the PHO microbiologist and may be referred to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Fort Collins.
Specimen Requirements
| Test Requested | Required Requisition(s) | Specimen Type | Minimum Volume | Collection Kit |
Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis (VEE) serology |
Whole blood or serum |
5.0 ml blood or 1.0 ml serum |
Clotted blood – vacutainer tubes (SST) |
|
Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis (VEE) serology |
Plasma |
1.0 ml |
Plasma with non-heparin anticoagulant (or serum) |
|
Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis (VEE) serology |
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 Venezuelan Equine 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.
Clinical information, including any risk factors such as mosquito exposure, and any recent travel, must be provided.
If submitting CSF, a paired serum specimen must also be submitted.
Serological or molecular testing can only be performed based on relevant clinical information and after approval by the PHO microbiologist and may be referred to the CDC in Fort Collins.
Contact PHO laboratory Customer Service at 416-235-6556 or 1-877-604-4567 to request approval.
Limitations
Haemolysed, icteric, lipemic or microbially contaminated sera or plasma are not recommended for testing.
Preparation Prior to 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 PHOL on ice packs.
Specimens for molecular testing should be frozen and shipped on dry ice.
Ship refrigerated specimens on ice packs and frozen specimens 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.
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.
Serological or molecular testing referred out to CDC in Fort Collins.
Note: Serological or molecular testing can only be performed based on relevant clinical information and after approval by the PHO microbiologist.
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