Zika virus (ZIKV) PCR

Test description

Real-time RT-PCR for the detection of zika virus (ZIKV), followed by sequencing

Purpose of the test

Diagnosis in the acute phase of the disease (up to 5 days after disease onset for serum, up to 14 days for urine).

Criteria for performing this test

• Clinical suspicion of a recent infection.
• The interval between symptom onset and sample collection should be indicated on the request form.
• Clinical and epidemiological information should be provided on the request form.

Instructions for sample

Serum/plasma, cerebrospinal fluid (CSV), urine

• Minimum amount of serum/plasma: 1 ml
• Minimum amount of CSV: 350 µl
• Minimum amount of urine: ≥ 5 ml

• For stable RNA concentrations, serum should preferably be separated from cells immediately after blood collection. If this is not possible, the blood sample can be stored for a maximum of 6 hours at 4°C.
• Serum/CSF should be stored at 4°C until transport.
• For stable RNA concentrations, urine should be stored immediately at 4°C. If transport cannot be done within 24h, urine should be stored and shipped at -20°C. Urine in Cobas® buffer (Roche Diagnostics P/N 06466281190) can be stored and transported at 15-30°C.

Repeated freezing and thawing of the sample should be avoided.

Instructions for transport

• Samples stored at 4°C can be shipped at room temperature.
• Samples stored at -20°C should be shipped on dry ice.
• Transit time should be kept as short as possible (Avoid transportation during weekends or holidays)

Unacceptable requests

Analysis will not be performed in case of:

• Sample collection outside the acute phase of the disease (or date of symptom onset not communicated)
• Inappropriate or insufficient sample
• Improper transport or storage
• Application form not fully completed.

Turn around time (and frequency of analysis)

Average: 4 days.

Contact the laboratory if urgent diagnosis is required.

Reporting of test results

The report will be sent by fax, post or e-mail.