Powassan Virus
Specimen Requirements
| Test Requested | Required Requisition(s) | Specimen Type | Minimum Volume | Collection Kit |
Powassan virus serology |
Blood or serum |
5.0 ml blood or 1.0 ml serum |
Vacutainer tubes (SST) |
|
Powassan virus PCR |
Plasma or serum |
1.0 ml |
EDTA blood, plasma with non-heparin anticoagulant |
|
Powassan virus PCR |
CSF (must be preapproved by PHOL microbiologist) |
400 µl |
Sterile container |
Submission and Collection Notes
Effective October 3, 2022, the Arbovirus (Non-Zika) Testing Intake Form is a mandatory requirement for Powassan virus testing. PHO’s laboratory utilizes the information on the requisition and the mandatory intake form to assess testing criteria, assign appropriate tests, and provide mandatory information required by the National Microbiology Laboratory for relevant testing performed there.
Clinical information, including any risk factors such as tick exposure, and any recent travel, must be provided.
If submitting CSF, a paired serum sample must also be submitted.
Molecular testing is not a routine test, and must be preapproved by the PHO laboratory microbiologist. RT-PCR on serum, plasma or CSF is not a sensitive test for Powassan virus. Contact PHO laboratory Customer Service at 416-235-6556 or 1-877-604-4567 to request approval.
Timing of Specimen Collection
Serum specimens (acute and convalescent) collected 2-3 weeks apart from patients with clinical illness.
Limitations
Haemolysed, icteric, lipemic or microbial contaminated sera or plasma are not recommended for testing.
Storage and Transport
Centrifuge if using SST. Place specimen in biohazard bag and seal. Specimens should be stored at 2-8◦C following collection and shipped to the PHO on ice packs.
Specimens for molecular testing should be frozen and shipped on dry ice.
Ship refrigerated samples on ice packs and frozen samples on dry ice.
Special Instructions
All specimens submitted for testing must be accompanied by a separate General Test Requisition for each specimen type collected. All fields on each requisition must be completed.
It is also MANDATORY to provide all information requested on the Arbovirus (Non-Zika) Information Intake Form. The Arbovirus (Non-Zika) Information Intake Form may be exempted if all mandatory information is available on the PHO’s General Test Requisition. Specimens submitted with missing mandatory information will not be tested until that information is provided.
Test Frequency and Turnaround Time (TAT)
Serology is performed once a week at PHO’s laboratory using an Hemagglutination Inhibition (HI) Assay for the detection of antibodies to Powassan virus. Turnaround time (TAT) is up to 8 days from receipt at PHO’s laboratory.
Plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) is performed at the National Microbiology Laboratory (NML). TAT is up to 14 calendar days after the completion of HI testing.
Molecular testing by RT-PCR is performed at NML after approval by PHO’s microbiologist. As this is not a routine test, NML will determine TAT after approval of testing.
Screening test: specimens for Powassan serology are performed using Hemagglutination inhibition (HI) Assay.
Confirmatory test: Plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT).
Optional test: molecular detection by RT-PCR.
Algorithm
Submitted serum samples will first be analyzed by the HI assay to determine if the patient has developed antibodies.
Samples that are HI reactive will be further analyzed for the presence of neutralizing antibodies by PRNT.
Samples that are HI non-reactive will not be tested by PRNT.
PCR testing will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
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