Test Directory

Rapid testing for West Nile virus (WNV) RNA (lineage 1 and lineage 2) using cerebrospinal fluid specimens.

An adjunctive test to serology for detection of early WNV infection (ie, first few days after symptom onset).

This assay should not be used for screening asymptomatic individuals and should only be used to test patients with signs and symptoms of WNV disease.

Specimen Type: Cerebrospinal Fluid

Collection Container: Sterile, Non-Additive Container (CSF) 

Desired Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL

1. Collect cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) via lumbar puncture. Collection from vial #2 is preferred.

1. Transfer 0.5 mL of CSF to a sterile aliquot tube (screw cap).
2. Do not centrifuge.

Transport to the laboratory refrigerated. 

• Heat-inactivated specimens

See patient report.

A negative test does not exclude infection with West Nile virus. Therefore, the results obtained should be used in conjunction with clinical findings and serologic test results to make an accurate diagnosis.

This assay detects both viable and nonviable virus. Test performance depends on viral load in the specimen and may not correlate with cell culture performed on the same specimen.

• Arbovirus
• Flavivirus
• Mosquito Borne Encephalitis
• Viral encephalitis
• West Nile PCR
• West Nile Virus (WNV)
• WNV PCR