Sign in →

Test Code WNVS West Nile Virus, RNA, PCR, Molecular Detection, Serum


Specimen Required


Collection Container/Tube:

Preferred: Serum gel

Acceptable: Red top

Submission Container: Sterile container

Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Within 2 hours of collection centrifuge and aliquot serum into a sterile container.

2. Serum specimens not aliquoted from the serum gel collection tube into a sterile container will be rejected.


Useful For

Rapid testing for West Nile virus (WNV) RNA (lineage 1 and lineage 2) using serum specimens

 

An adjunctive test to serology for detection of early WNV infection (ie, first few days after symptom onset)

 

This test should not be used for screening asymptomatic individuals and should only be used to test patients with signs and symptoms of WNV disease.

Testing Algorithm

The following algorithms are available:

-Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel Algorithm

-Mosquito-borne Disease Laboratory Testing

Method Name

Real-Time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR)

Reporting Name

West Nile Virus RNA, PCR, Serum

Specimen Type

Serum

Specimen Minimum Volume

0.3 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Serum Refrigerated (preferred) 7 days
  Frozen  7 days

Reference Values

Negative

Reference values apply to all ages.

Interpretation

A positive result indicates the presence of West Nile virus RNA and is consistent with early infection.

Clinical Reference

1. Petersen LR, Brault AC, Nasci RS: West Nile virus: review of the literature. JAMA. 2013 Jul 17;310(3):308-315

2. Colpitts TM, Conway MJ, Montgomery RR, Fikrig E: West Nile virus: Biology, transmission, and human infection. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2012 Oct;25(4):635-648

3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Disease (NCEZID), Division of Vector-Borne Diseases (DVBD): West Nile Virus: Information for Healthcare Providers. CDC; Reviewed December 10, 2018. Accessed January 3, 2023. Available at www.cdc.gov/westnile/healthcareproviders/index.html

4. Lustig Y, Mannasse B, Koren R, et al: Superiority of West Nile virus RNA detection in whole blood for diagnosis of acute infection. J Clin Microbiol. 2016 Sep;54(9):2294-2297

5. Barzon L, Pacenti M, Franchin E, et al: Excretion of West Nile virus in urine during acute Infection. J Infect Dis. 2013 Oct;208(7):1086-1092

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Friday

Report Available

Same day/1 to 5 days

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Test Classification

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

CPT Code Information

87798

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
WNVS West Nile Virus RNA, PCR, Serum 32361-8

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
608436 West Nile Virus RNA, PCR, Serum 32361-8

Forms

If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Microbiology Test Request (T244) with the specimen.