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Order Code CHIKS Chikungunya Virus, PCR, Molecular Detection, Serum


Additional Testing Requirements


Due to the short period in which chikungunya RNA may be detected in serum, testing serum for IgM- and IgG-class antibodies to chikungunya virus is also recommended. See CHIKV / Chikungunya IgM and IgG, Antibody, Serum.

 

Testing for RNA or IgM-class antibodies to dengue and Zika viruses, concurrently with chikungunya virus testing should also be considered, given the overlapping clinical syndromes seen with these viruses.



Specimen Required


Collection Container/Tube:

Preferred: Serum gel

Acceptable: Red top

Submission Container: Sterile container

Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Within 2 hours of collection, centrifuge and aliquot the serum into a sterile container.

2. Serum specimens not aliquoted from the serum gel collection tube into a sterile container will be rejected.


Useful For

Qualitative detection of chikungunya virus in serum after early symptom onset (ideally <7 days)

 

This test is not recommended for screening healthy patients.

Method Name

Real-Time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)/DNA Probe Hybridization

Reporting Name

Chikungunya Virus, PCR, Serum

Specimen Type

Serum

Specimen Minimum Volume

0.3 mL

Specimen Stability Information

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

Reject Due To

Gross hemolysis Reject
Heat-inactivated specimen Reject

Reference Values

Negative

Reference values apply to all ages.

Method Description

The RealStar Chikungunya Virus RT-PCR Kit was developed by Altona Diagnostics to assist in the diagnosis of chikungunya (CHIK) infection by testing serum for CHIK RNA. The Altona RealStar Chikungunya (ARS CHIK) RT-PCR Kit 2.0 is a qualitative reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) assay targeting the nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) gene. The assay includes a heterologous amplification system (internal control: IC) to identify possible RT-PCR inhibition and to confirm the integrity of the reagents of the kit. Testing will be performed per the manufacturer's instructions using the LightCycler 480 following extraction with the NucliSENS easyMag (bioMerieux).

 

Real-time RT-PCR technology utilizes a reverse-transcriptase reaction to convert RNA into complementary DNA, PCR for the amplification of specific target sequences, and target specific probes for the detection of the amplified DNA. The probes are labelled with fluorescent reporter and quencher dyes. Probes specific for CHIK RNA are labelled with the fluorophore FAM. The probe specific for the IC is labeled with the fluorophore JOE. Using probes linked to distinguishable dyes enables the parallel detection of CHIK specific RNA and the IC in corresponding detector channels of the real-time PCR instrument.(Package insert: RealStar Chikungunya RT-PCR Kit 2.0. Altona Diagnostics; 01/2017)

Day(s) Performed

Tuesday, Thursday

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

CPT Code Information

87798

Testing Algorithm

For more information see Mosquito-borne Disease Laboratory Testing.

Forms

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