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