Alberta Precision Laboratories

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Organization:

Alberta Precision Laboratories

Test Name/Synonym:

West Nile Virus NAT
(Synonym: WNV)

Test Includes:

NAT/PCR

LABID (Connect Care):

West Nile Virus (WNV) NAT – LAB208
Suspect Acute West Nile Virus – LAB1269

Specimen Collection Requirements:

<Blood

Two 4 mL EDTA - at least 3 mL/tube
OR
Two 5 mL PPT - at least 3 mL/tube
OR
Pediatric collection - at least one 2 mL EDTA

CSF

0.5 - 1 mL minimum, DEDICATED sample in STERILE CONTAINER

Transplant clinics are asked to refer to Laboratory Bulletin West Nile Virus Screening 2015

Test Resources:

Zoonotic Testing Requisition
https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/frm-20087.pdf

Stability and Storage:

Refrigerate

DO NOT freeze

Processing:

Centrifuge blood

DO NOT pour off

Transportation:

Ship as Category B

Refer to https://tc.canada.ca/en/corporate-services/acts-regulations/list-regulations/transportation-dangerous-goods-regulations
APL personnel - refer to HSM14 Transport of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Program

Blood

Transport on ice/cold packs

Must be received within 48 hours of collection

CSF

If specimen can be received in the Laboratory within 24 hours of collection, ship on ice/cold packs

If transportation might exceed 24 hours from collection, freeze at -70°C and transport on dry ice

Routine Turn Around Time:

7 days

Testing Area:

Molecular Diagnostics

Performing Site:

Provincial Laboratory for Public Health (Calgary and Edmonton)

Additional Test Information:

Screening for West Nile virus is routinely available upon request during the transmission season in Canada, defined as the period from June 1 to October 31. Testing for WNV outside this period will be available only for patients or donors with a history of recent travel in an area with ongoing WNV transmission.

***West Nile Virus NAT has low sensitivity in CSF. CSF panel tests are automatically included along with all WNV NAT requests on CSF.

See: How to Interpret Acute West Nile Virus Test Results for more detail.

Both WNV and enterovirus are seasonal and may present with similar clinical picture. See: Enterovirus Infections. Enterovirus and parechovirus are tested automatically along with all WNV PCR requests.

Last Updated On:

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Date of Last Review:

Jan 14 2025 12:00AM