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Isolation of Rift Valley Fever virus

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Requisition Forms

Reference Details

Description:

Isolation of Rift Valley Fever virus.

Test Category:
Isolation
Pathogen:
Rift Valley Fever (RVF) virus
Illnesses and Diseases:
  • Rift Valley fever (RVF)
Specimen:

Whole blood, serum, CSF, other bodily fluids (minimum sample 0.5 mL) and fresh frozen tissues

Collection Method:

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

Whole blood: collect in EDTA, heparin or citrate tubes, can submit as aliquots in sterile 1.5-2.0 mL screw cap tubes.

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.

 

Specimen Processing, Storage and Shipping:

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

Transportation of Dangerous Goods:

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.

Patient Criteria:

Symptomatic and travel to Rift Valley Fever virus endemic areas or contact to travellers from these areas.

Accompanying Documentation:

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.

Comments:

All patient history must be included; sample without adequate patient history to justify testing are subject to rejection. Contact Special Pathogens prior to submission of sample to ensure appropriate shipping documentation is generated.

Isolation is a non-routine test for investigatinal purposes.

Methods and Interpretation of Results:

For diagnosis of Rift Valley Fever virus infection to be confirmed, one or more of the following diagnostic markers must be positive: (i) presence of Rift Valley Fever virus-specific antibodies, (ii) presence of Rift Valley Fever virus RNA by PCR, and (iii) isolation of Rift Valley Fever virus.

Turnaround Time:

14 calendar days.

Contact:
Phone #: (204) 789-6019 or (204) 789-7032
Fax: (204) 789-2140
References: