Isolation of Cowpox Virus

Isolation of cowpox virus.

• Cowpox

Lesion fluid and/or crust, scab, skin material; swabs; CSF/serum from encephalitic patients, fresh frozen tissues – minimum sample 0.5 mL.

Collect lesion or crust material, scabs, swabs, CSF in sterile 1.5-2.0 mL tube, avoid dilution of the sample, transport media is not needed.

Serum: collect in serum (red top) or serum separator tubes (SST), centrifugation of serum tubes is not needed and should be avoided.

Tissues: Fresh frozen tissues should be placed in plastic containers.

Store samples in refrigerator or frozen until being shipped for testing.  Serum can be shipped refrigerated or frozen. Tissues should be shipped frozen. Ship frozen specimens on dry ice and refrigerated specimens on wet 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.

Presence of orthopoxvirus papules or lesions.

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.

For diagnosis of orthopoxvirus infection be confirmed, one or more of the following diagnostic markers must be positive: (i) presence of orthopoxvirus DNA by PCR, (ii) isolation of orthopoxvirus.

14 calander days.