Enterovirus RNA, Qualitative, Real-Time PCR : 15082

ENTPCR or 15082

D68, Coxsackie Virus PCR; Echovirus PCR

Avoid repeated freezing and thawing of specimens.

Preferred Specimen
0.7 mL CSF collected in a sterile leak-proof container

Alternative Specimens
Plasma collected in: EDTA (lavender-top) tube; Serum; Rectal, throat, lesion or nasopharyngeal swab collected in a multi-microbe media; VCM medium (green-cap) tube, or equivalent (UTM); 1 gram or 0.7 mL frozen stool collected in a sterile leak-proof container; Pericardial fluid collected in a sterile leak-proof container

Minimum Volume
0.3 mL CSF, plasma, serum or pericardial fluid;  0.5 g or 0.5 mL stool

Stool: Frozen
   
All other samples: Refrigerated

All samples (except stool)
Room temperature: 48 hours; Refrigerated: 7 days; Frozen: 30 days
   
Stool
Room temperature: Unacceptable; Refrigerated: 7 days; Frozen: 30 days

Monday - Saturday

1-2 days  (From receipt at performing laboratory)

Not detected.

Reverse Transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR) is a highly sensitive method used to detect Enterovirus (EV) RNA from various clinical specimens. This assay targets a conserved region of the EV genome which allows detection of nearly the entire spectrum of human enteroviruses, including the coxsackieviruses, polioviruses and the echoviruses. It does not differentiate among the EV serotypes. The diagnosis of enterovirus infection should not rely solely upon the result of a RT-PCR assay. A positive result should be considered in conjunction with clinical presentation and additional established clinical tests. A negative RT-PCR result indicates the absence of enterovirus RNA in the sample tested and does not exclude the diagnosis of disease.