Molecular Detection of Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus
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Reference Details
Detection of SFTSV virus infection by PCR amplification of SFTSV virus specific genome.
- Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome
Whole blood, serum, CSF, other bodily fluids (minimum sample 0.5 mL) and fresh frozen tissues. Formalin-fixed or paraffin-embedded tissues.
Whole blood: collect in EDTA, heparin or citrate tubes, can submit as aliquots in sterile 1.5-2.0 mL screw cap tubes.
Serum: collect in serum (red top) or serum separator tubes (SST), centrifugation of serum tubes is not needed and should be avoided.
CSF and other bodily fluids: Collect in sterile 1.5-2.0 mL screw cap tubes.
Tissues: Fresh frozen tissues should be placed in plastic containers. Tissues that are formalin-fixed should also be sent in plastic containers and clearly identified as being in formalin. Paraffin-embedded tissues can be sent as entire blocks or four to six 10 uM sections in a plastic tube or vial.
Store samples in refrigerator or frozen until being shipped for testing. Avoid freezing whole blood samples. Tissues should be shipped frozen. Ship frozen specimens on dry ice and refrigerated specimens on wet ice. Formalin-fixed samples can be sent at room temperature.
Shipping of specimens shall be done by a TDG certified individual in accordance with TDG regulations. For additional information regarding classification of specimens for the purposes of shipping, consult either Part 2 Appendix 3 of the TDG Regulations or section 3.6.2 of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations as applicable.
Symptomatic and travel history to endemic regions.
Completed Special Pathogens requisition including sender name, address and telephone number. Patient information including name or identifier, date of birth, and all relevant patient history including clinical diagnosis, underlying diseases, exposure risk and travel history. Indicate type of specimen collected and all specimen information. Select all required tests. If possible, attach lab results that have already been done at local or provincial laboratories.
All patient history must be included; sample without adequate patient history to justify testing are subject to rejection.
PCR is a non-routine test for investigatinal purposes.
For diagnosis of SFTSV infection to be confirmed, one or more of the following diagnostic markers must be positive: (i) presence of SFTSV RNA by PCR, (ii) isolation of SFTS virus.
14 calendar days.