Detection of IgM Antibodies Directed Towards Snowshoe Hare Virus by ELISA

Serological detection of IgM antibodies directed towards snowshoe hare (SSH) virus by In-House MAC ELISA.

• Encephalitis

Paired sera collected 14 days apart OR serum AND CSF are required.  Minimum volume of 250 µl.  Please see California Serogroup Guidelines.

2 mL screw cap tubes.

Store samples refrigerated or frozen until shipped for testing. Ship frozen samples on dry ice, and refrigerated samples 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.

Suspected California serogroup virus infection. Samples from patients with encephalitis of unknown etiology may also be submitted. Clinical samples that tested positive or generated equivocal results by IgM ELSIA are further tested by the SSH PRNT assay.

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 on-set of symptoms, and clinical and travel history of patient. 

Clinical samples that test positive by IgM ELISA are further tested by the SSH plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT).

This test is considered investigational as it has not been extensively validated or verified.

Testing is performed, in whole or in part, using a lab-developed test which has not been fully validated/verified due to a lack of well-characterized panel.

The detection of IgG 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.

1. Martin, D.A., Muth, D.A, Brown, T., Johnson, A.J., Karabatsos, N., and Roehrig, J.T. Standardization of immunoglobulin M capture enzyme-limked immunosorbent assays for routine diagnosis of arboviral infections. J. Clin. Micro. 2000; 38: 1823-1826.

Pathogen Safety Data Sheets: Infectious Substances – California Serogroup viruses

California Serogroup Guidelines
California Serogroup Guidelines.pdf