Detection of IgM Antibodies Directed Towards Powassan Virus by ELISA
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Reference Details
Serological detection of IgM antibodies directed towards Powassan virus by Euroimmun Anti-Powassan Virus ELISA (IgM).
- Powassan encephalitis
Serum. Minimum volume of 250 µl required.
2 mL screw cap tubes.
Store samples refrigerated until shipped for testing. Ship samples on a cold pack, or with wet or dry ice.
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.
Suspected infection with Powassan virus and exposure to relevant arthropod.
Completed Viral Zoonoses requisition including sender laboratory name, address and telephone number. Patient name and / or identifier (specimen reference number), date of birth, test(s) requested, collection date of specimen, date of onset of symptoms, and clinical and travel history of patient.
All diagnostic samples are tested by both IgM and IgG ELISA to increase the clinical sensitivity.
This test is considered investigational as it has not been extensively validated or verified.
The detection of Ig antibodies in a single serum sample is indicative of past or present exposure to this virus. A 4 fold rise or greater in neutralizing antibody titre, or seroconversion in paired sera, is required to document a ’confirmed case’ of infection.
IgM can persist in serum for up to a year or more after arbovirus exposure. Thus, detection of IgM by itself is not sufficient for confirmation of acute infection, but is consistent with an exposure at an undetermined time.
Isolation of an arbovirus or detection of nucleic acid by real-time RT-PCR in a clinical specimen provides clear evidence of infection associated with the current clinical illness.
14 calendar days
- Euroimmun Medizinische Labordiagnostika AG. Anti-Powassan Virus ELISA (IgG) test Instructions Version 22/11/2017.
- Johnson, A.J., Martin, D.A., Karabatsos, N., and Roehrig, J.T. Detection of anti-arboviral immunoglobulin G by using a monoclonal antibody-based capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. J. Clin. Micro. 38; 1827-1831.