Alberta Precision Laboratories

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Organization:

Alberta Precision Laboratories

Test Name/Synonym:

Enterovirus and Parechovirus NAT Panel
(Synonym: EV PEV PCR, Coxsackievirus, Echovirus, Poliovirus)

Pathogen:

Enteroviruses including coxsackievirus A and B, echovirus, and poliovirus.
Parechovirus

Test Includes:

NAT/PCR

LABID (Connect Care):

LAB4154

Specimen Collection Requirements:

Stool in a closed container
Nasopharyngeal or throat swab in Universal Transport Medium (UTM)
Vesicle swab in UTM
Mouth ulcer swab
One EDTA (lavender top) 4 mL tube
DEDICATED CSF sample (0.5-1 mL minimum) in a sterile container

NOTE: Bloody CSF is not optimal for NAT/PCR tests.

For suspected congenital enterovirus/parechovirus infection:
See: Congenital Infections

Test Resources:

Serology and Molecular Testing Requisition
https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/frm-20676.pdf

Processing:

DO NOT centrifuge blood

Transportation:

If Poliovirus suspected:
Ship as Category A: If cultures only
Ship as Category B: If patient specimens

If enterovirus (non-poliovirus) or parechovirus suspected:
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:

Ship on ice or cold pack within 24 hours

CSF:

If specimen can be received in the laboratory within 24 hours of collection - ship on ice/cold packs.
If specimen can NOT be received in the laboratory within 24 hours of collection - freeze at -70°C and transport on dry ice.

Routine Turn Around Time:

48 hours

Testing Area:

Molecular Diagnostics

Performing Site:

Provincial Laboratory for Public Health (Calgary and Edmonton)

Additional Test Information:

Risk Group 3 pathogen:
Poliovirus
Risk Group 2 pathogen:
Enterovirus
Parechovirus

Characterization of enteroviruses is available for the clinical management of suspect unusual or severe cases of respiratory illness (e.g. asthma exacerbation, bronchitis, pneumonitis, pneumonia, ICU admission) or for management of unusual clusters/outbreaks.

Contact Comments:

Testing on blood samples is only available on immunodeficient populations, myocarditis, neonates, or after consultation with the Public Health Lab (ProvLab) Microbiologist On-Call.

If typing is required, contact the Public Health Lab (ProvLab) Microbiologist On-Call to identify severe and unusual cases. Collect and submit a properly labelled specimen as you would for routine respiratory virus testing. On approved respiratory specimens, the respiratory infection panel will identify to the level of entero-rhinoviruses. Further classification will occur depending on your discussion with the Microbiologist On-Call.

For suspected case of poliomyelitis, or for cases for acute flaccid paralysis (AFP), you must contact the local Medical Officer of Health (MOH) and the Public Health Lab (ProvLab) Microbiologist On-Call prior to specimen collection for direction on specimen collection and coordination of testing.

Last Updated On:

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

Date of Last Review:

Feb 3 2025 12:00AM