Enterovirus PCR

Testing Laboratory

Auckland Te Toka Tumai | Auckland Hospital

Department

Virology

Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)

ENPC

Test Code (Numeric Code)

8755

Laboratory Handling

Transport

EDTA: transport to the laboratory at ambient temperature on the day of collection. PPT: Centrifuge on the day of collection and transport to the laboratory at ambient temperature.

Registration

If an FBC and Molecular testing are both requested and only one EDTA tube is received, send the specimen for FBC testing and forward a “Query Correct Specimen” form to VIM. If both a micro EDTA specimen and a full EDTA tube are received for FBC and Molecular testing, send the micro EDTA specimen for FBC testing and the full EDTA tube for Molecular testing.

Separating

PPT tubes must be centrifuged and plasma separated within 6 hours of collection.

Laboratory

Throat swabs, blister fluid, unspun EDTA blood, centrifuged PPT tube specimens should be sent to the Molecular Infectious Diseases section during normal working hours, Monday to Friday (08:00–16:00). After hours and on weekends, store specimens at 2–8°C in the designated box/rack in ALSS.

Sample Stability

EDTA blood tube: Stable at room temperature for up to 24 hours and at 2–8°C for up to 7 days. Centrifuged PPT tube: Room temperature: up to 24 hours. Refrigerated (2–8°C): up to 7 days. For storage beyond 7 days: aliquot into labelled sterile tube and freeze at ≤−20°C. Throat swab, blister fluid: Room temperature: up to 24 hours. Refrigerated (2–8°C): up to 7 days, freeze after 7 days.

Associated Tests

• Rapid Respiratory PCR Panel (Nasopharyngeal Swab)
• Meningitis/Encephalitis PCR Panel (CSF)

Synonyms

Enterovirus PCR

Turnaround Time

3 days

Test not performed over weekend.

Specimen Type

• CSF
• Faecal
• Plasma
• Throat Swab

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Please refer to Additional Information below

Acceptable

• Please refer to Additional Information below

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• EDTA (Microtainer)

Acceptable

• Please refer to Additional Information below

Additional Specimen Information

Unspun EDTA whole blood: minimum 1 mL.
PPT Plasma: minimum 0.5 mL; collect for acute cases only.
Throat swab collected in UTM/VTM.
Blister fluid.
CSF: minimum 0.5 mL

Aliquot Instructions

Transport to Lab

Chilled (2 - 8 degrees Celsius)
Frozen

Additional Referral/Aliquot Information

Sample requirement:
Throat swab collected in UTM/VTM
Blister fluid
PPT tube: minimum 0.5 mL - collect during acute phase
Sample stability:
Throat swab and blister fluids: stable at room temperature for up to 24 hours and at 2–8°C for up to 7 days, should be frozen after 7 days.
Centrifuged PPT tubes: stable at room temperature for up to 24 hours and at 2–8°C for up to 7 days, for storage beyond 7 days: aliquot and freeze at ≤−20°C.

Transport:
Throat swab, blister fluid, centrifuged PPT tube: Transport chilled at 2–8°C .

For any other specimen type, please contact a Clinical Virologist via AK-MOL-INF-DIS@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz before sending the specimen.

Test Method

Qualitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the 5′ untranslated region (5′ UTR) of the Enterovirus genome (detected or not detected).

Urgent enquiries:
In normal working hours (08:00-16:00 Mon-Fri) contact Clinical Virology via LabLINK (internal extension 22000, external number 09 307 8995).
Outside of normal working hours (evenings and weekends) contact the On Call Clinical Microbiologist via Te Whatu Ora Te Toka Tumai Auckland main switchboard (09 367 0000).
Non-urgent enquiries:
Email: AK-MOL-INF-DIS@tewhatuora.govt.nz

Contact Information