Yellow Fever Virus

* Copie d'impression non contrôlée. Valide uniquement le jour de l'impression : 18 mai 2022.

Specimen Collection and Handling

Specimen Requirements

Test Requested	Required Requisition(s)	Specimen Type	Minimum Volume	Collection Kit
Yellow Fever Virus serology	General Test Requisition	Whole blood or serum	5.0 ml blood or 1.0 ml serum	Clotted blood – vacutainer tubes (SST)
Yellow Fever Virus PCR	General Test Requisition	Plasma	1.0 ml	Plasma with non-heparin anticoagulant (or serum)
Yellow Fever Virus PCR	General Test Requisition	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:

onset date
symptoms
relevant travel history
history of Japanese encephalitis virus vaccination or yellow fever vaccination

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.

Turnaround time is up to 28 days.

Reporting

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

Specimens that are positive for yellow fever 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 yellow fever virus testing is performed at the National Microbiology Laboratory.

Labstracts

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