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Test Code LAB12528 Enterovirus, Molecular Detection, PCR, Varies

Important Note

In order to prevent inadvertent exposure of SARS-CoV-2, the cause of COVID-19, effective immediately, Enterovirus, Molecular Detection, PCR, Varies will no longer accept respiratory specimens (Bronchial washing, bronchoalveolar lavage, nasopharyngeal aspirate, swab or washing, throat or nasal swab, sputum, pleural fluid or tracheal aspirate). Testing will remain available for all other acceptable specimen sources. For nasopharyngeal swabs, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, and bronchial washings, consider alternative tests listed below.

Reporting Name

Enterovirus PCR
Covenant HealthCare Laboratory Test Directory Note:

Enterovirus by PCR - Non Blood

Useful For

Aiding in diagnosing enterovirus infections

 

This test should not be used to screen asymptomatic patients.

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Specimen Type

Varies


Ordering Guidance


This test will detect enterovirus but will not differentiate viruses in this family or provide serotyping information.



Necessary Information


1. Specimen source is required.

2. Source information should include main anatomical site of collection.



Specimen Required


Submit a raw clinical sample (not a culture isolate) for enterovirus testing.

 

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

 

Specimen Type: Body fluid

Sources: Pericardial, peritoneal

Container/Tube: Sterile container

Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL

Collection Instructions: Do not centrifuge.

 

Specimen Type: Spinal fluid

Container/Tube: Sterile vial

Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Submit specimen from collection vial 2.

2. Do not centrifuge.

 

Specimen Type: Swab

Supplies: Culturette (BBL Culture Swab) (T092)

Sources: Dermal, eye, rectal, genital, nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal, throat, nasal, or urethral

Container/Tube: Multimicrobe media (M4-RT) or similar viral transport media (M4 or M5) and Eswab

Specimen Volume: Entire specimen

Collection Instructions:

1. Rectal swab must have no visible fecal matter

2. Place swab back into multimicrobe media (M4-RT, M4, or M5)

 

Specimen Type: Respiratory

Sources: Bronchial washing, bronchoalveolar lavage, nasopharyngeal aspirate or washing, pleural fluid, sputum, or tracheal aspirate

Container/Tube: Sterile container

Specimen Volume: 1.5 mL

Collection Instructions: Do not centrifuge.


Specimen Minimum Volume

Body and Respiratory fluids: 0.5 mL; Spinal fluid: 0.3 mL; Swab: See Specimen Required

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Varies Refrigerated (preferred) 7 days
  Frozen  7 days

Reference Values

Negative

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Sunday

Test Classification

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

CPT Code Information

87498

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
LENT Enterovirus PCR 93856-3

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
SRC68 Specimen Source 31208-2
80066 Enterovirus PCR 93856-3

Clinical Information

Enteroviruses are positive-sense RNA viruses in the Picornaviridae family. These viruses were initially classified by serotype as polioviruses (3 types), echoviruses (31 types, including types 22 and 23, which are now classified as parechoviruses), coxsackievirus A (23 types), and coxsackievirus B (6 types). However, genomic studies have demonstrated that there is significant overlap in the biological characteristics of different serotypes and more recently isolated enteroviruses are now named with consecutive numbers (eg, EV68, EV69).

 

The normal site of enterovirus replication is the gastrointestinal tract where the infection is typically subclinical. However, in a proportion of cases, the virus spreads to other organs, causing systemic manifestations, including mild respiratory disease (eg, the common cold); conjunctivitis; hand, foot, and mouth disease; aseptic meningitis; myocarditis; and acute flaccid paralysis. Collectively, enteroviruses are the most common cause of upper respiratory tract disease in children. In addition, the enteroviruses are the most common cause of central nervous system (CNS) disease; they account for almost all viruses recovered in culture from spinal fluid. Differentiation of enteroviruses from other viruses and bacteria that cause CNS disease is important for the appropriate medical management of these patients.

 

Traditional cell culture methods require 6 days, on average, for enterovirus detection. In comparison, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) allows same-day detection. Detection of enterovirus nucleic acid by PCR is also the most sensitive diagnostic method for the diagnosis of CNS infection caused by these viruses.

Interpretation

A positive result indicates the presence of enterovirus RNA in the specimen.

Method Description

For this real-time reverse-transcription laboratory-developed polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay, viral nucleic acid is extracted from specimens, followed by amplification and detection on the Roche LightCycler 2.0 instrument. This PCR assay has been optimized to detect a target sequence in the polyprotein region. Primers amplify a 193 base-pair product.

 

Enterovirus genomic RNA is first transcribed to complementary DNA (cDNA) by reverse transcriptase, followed by amplification of the cDNA product. The LightCycler instrument can rapidly (30-40 minutes) detect amplicon development through stringent air-controlled temperature cycling in capillary cuvettes. The detection of amplified products is based on the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) principle. For FRET product detection, a hybridization probe with a donor fluorophore, fluorescein, on the 3'-end is excited by an external light source and emits light that is absorbed by a second hybridization probe with an acceptor fluorophore, LC-Red 640, at the 5'-end. The acceptor fluorophore then emits light of a different wavelength that can be measured with a signal proportional to the amount of specific PCR product. FRET (with subsequent production of a detectable fluorescent signal) only occurs when the probes have specifically annealed to the target sequence of the amplicon.

 

Melting-curve analysis is performed following PCR amplification and is the detection phase of the assay, since it offers greater sensitivity than the amplification phase and maintains high specificity.

 

The melting phase of the assay occurs as follows:

Starting at 45° C, which allows the probes to bind to the amplified product, the temperature in the thermal chamber is then slowly raised to 80° C and the fluorescence measured at frequent intervals to determine the point where half of the fluorescence is lost as the probes are denatured (ie, "melt") off of the target. This is called the melting temperature (Tm) of that virus. Analysis of the PCR amplification and probe melting curves is accomplished through the use of LightCycler software.(Bernard PS, Reiser A, Pritham GH. Mutation detection by fluorescent hybridization probe melting curves. In: Meuer S, Wittwer C, Nakagawara K, eds. Rapid Cycle Real-Time PCR Methods and Applications. Springer; 2012:11-20)

Report Available

2 to 3 days

Reject Due To

Calcium alginate-tipped swab
Wood swab
Transport swab containing gel
Heat-inactivated specimen
Reject
 

Method Name

Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)/RNA Probe Hybridization

Forms

If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Microbiology Test Request (T244) with the specimen.

Testing Algorithm

For more information see Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel Algorithm

Secondary ID

80066