West Nile Virus - Serology

Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF)

Serum

• CSF Sterile tube for CSF
• SST for Serum

• Tube 1- Chemistry
• Tube 2- Cytology
• Tube 3- Microbiology (Microbiology is x4 tubes collected)
• Tube 4- Haematology 

The last tube collected will be processed for the cell count

Lumbar Puncture

Clean the puncture site with antiseptic solution and alcohol before needle insertion. Insert a needle with stylet at the L3-L4, L4-L5 or L5-LS interspace. When subarachnoid space is reached, remove stylet and spinal fluid will appear in the needle hub. Slowly drain CSF into sterile tubes.

Shunt Fluid

Clean the reservoir site with antiseptic solution and alcohol. Collect fluid through the reservoir unit and place it in a sterile tube.
Indicate method of collection on requisition.

Suggested Volumes:

• Routine Culture (C&S) - 2 mL
• Fungus Culture - 2 mL
• Mycobacterium Culture - 2 mL
• Virus Culture - 2 mL

Daily during peak season (Early spring to late fall)

Twice per week ( all other time)

Lab Process Notes

• Each specimen must be accompanied by a separate Public health laboratory , "General Test Requisition" with all fields completed. 
• Haemolyzed, icteric, lipemic or microbial contaminated sera or plasma are not recommended for testing.
• Centrifuge SST prior to send out to referral laboratory. 

• Specimen should be transported ASAP to the laboratory in biohazard bag after collection.
• Specimen should be stored  and transported at 2-8°C temperature after processed for Microbiology culture. 
• Specimen should not be transported through the automated delivery system.
• If after hours and no call-back is initiated the specimen should be stored at room temperature in the STAT container.