Varicella-Zoster Virus PCR (other)

Department

Virology

Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)

HGPC

Test Code (Numeric Code)

8585

Laboratory Handling

Separating

Unspun EDTA whole blood

Laboratory

EDTA whole blood, CSF, swabs and tissue samples should be sent to Molecular Infectious Diseases section during the normal working hours 8:00 am - 16:00 pm. During weekend and afterhours store, the samples at 2–8°C. in dedicated box/rack in ALSS.

Sample Stability

Room temperature: up to 24 hours. Refrigerated (2–8°C): up to 7 days.

Associated Tests

• Vesicular Lesion Nucleic Acid Detection Panel (HSV/VZV)
• Meningitis/Encephalitis PCR Panel (CSF)

Synonyms

Varicella-Zoster Virus PCR
VZV PCR
Varicella PCR

Turnaround Time

2 days

Specimen Type

• CSF
• Eye Swab
• Tissue
• Vitreous Fluid
• Whole Blood

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Please refer to Additional Information below

Acceptable

• Please refer to Additional Information below
• Specimen Container

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Please refer to Additional Information below

Acceptable

• EDTA (Microtainer)
• Please refer to Additional Information below

Additional Specimen Information

EDTA whole blood- 1 mL, minimum 0.5 mL
Fresh tissue: submit in sterile normal saline.

Blood is not an appropriate specimen for most clinical indications. The Clinical Virologist must be contacted through AK-MOL-INF-DIS@Tewhatuora.govt.nz before requesting VZV PCR on blood.

For tissue specimens, submit either:
Fresh tissue in sterile normal saline, or
Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue.

Aliquot Instructions

Transport to Lab

Chilled (2 - 8 degrees Celsius)

Additional Referral/Aliquot Information

Specimen requirements
Blood is not an appropriate specimen for most clinical indications. The Clinical Virologist must be contacted before requesting VZV PCR on blood.
If blood testing has been approved, send an unspun minimum 1 ml of EDTA whole blood tube.
Fresh tissue: submit in sterile normal saline.

For other specimen types, please contact Clinical Virology at AK-MOL-INF-DIS@Tewhatuora.Tewhatuora.govt.nz before sending the specimen.

Sample stability:
EDTA whole blood: Stable at room temperature for up to 24 hours and at 2–8°C for up to 7 days.
Tissues: Stable at room temperature for up to 24 hours and at 2–8°C for up to 7 days.

Transport:
Transport specimens chilled at 2–8°C.

Test Method

Qualitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (detected / 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