Virus Detection – CSF
Consistent with O. Reg. 671/92 of the French Language Services Act, laboratory testing information on this page is only available in English because it is scientific or technical in nature and is for use only by qualified health care providers and not by members of the public.
Specimen Requirements
| Test Requested | Required Requisition(s) | Specimen Type | Minimum Volume | Collection Kit |
Virus Identification1 |
CSF – Cerebral Spinal Fluid |
1.0 ml of CSF |
Sterile container |
Submission and Collection Notes
CSF samples will be tested by an in-house PCR method, contact PHO Laboratory Customer Service Centre prior to submitting samples if you prefer testing by virus culture (see methods section)
Storage and Transport
Label the specimen container with the patient’s full name, date of collection and one other unique identifier such as the patient’s date of birth or Health Card Number. Failure to provide this information may result in rejection or testing delay.
Special Instructions
Specimens should be stored at 2-8°C following collection and shipped to PHOL on ice packs.
Test Frequency and Turnaround Time (TAT)
Testing for Herpes Simplex Virus, Varicella Zoster Virus, and Enterovirus is performed Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Turnaround time is up to 3 days from date of receipt at PHO laboratory
As of April 24th, 2017 virus culture will no longer be performed, and CSF samples will be tested for HSV1/HSV2/VZV at PHOL-Toronto using a more sensitive in-house real-time PCR method.
Please contact PHOL if virus culture testing is preferred (instead of molecular testing) prior to submitting the specimen(s).
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